We’re a dentist in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, who loves working with families. Not every clinic is family-friendly, but to us, few things are more satisfying than helping a child get off to the right start with dental health. Dental habits formed in childhood and adolescence will truly last a lifetime and help prevent dental issues later on.
So, we wanted to quickly go over some of the basics of good oral care for the first 18 years of a person’s life.
A Dentist in Rancho Cucamonga Presents: A Quick Guide To Children’s Dental Health
1- Early Childhood
Teething in babies can begin as early as six months and will come in over the next two years or so. Toothbrushing should begin alongside the first tooth – it’s truly never too early to start. Only use a tiny amount of toothpaste, though, and look for milder fruit-flavored children’s products since the harsh mint of adult toothpaste is too strong for most babies.
Also, it’s recommended your child get their first dental checkup around the time of their first birthday.
2- Preschool
As a toddler starts developing independence, they’ll want to do things for themselves – make brushing and flossing part of this!A child who’s brushing and flossing for themselves early on will likely retain the habit for a lifetime. They’ll need supervision at first, of course, and you’ll need to watch out for them forgetting to brush\floss for a few years until the habit is ingrained.
3- School-Age
This is when they’ll first start losing their baby teeth. However, that shouldn’t mean slacking off on oral care. Orthodontic problems can start now and will carry on as their adult teeth start to come in. Also, it’s easy for children of this age to get hooked on sweets. Try to monitor and limit their sugar intake, or else a child could start harming their adult teeth as soon as they grow in.
4- Teenagers
Don’t let a teenager skip their dental appointments! This could truly make the difference between minor dental work and major corrections. Encourage them to keep dental hygiene in mind, such as providing disposable and single-serve products to on-the-go teens. If they need orthodontic work, though, now is the time to do it. It’ll pay off for the rest of their lives.
Let Our Team Help
Need a family-friendly dentist in Rancho Cucamonga, CA? Contact California Dental Care today!
