At A Healthy Smile Dentistry in Florham Park, NJ, we know that lifelong dental health is more easily achieved with an early start. We like to begin seeing children at our pediatric dentistry practice by the time they reach age one, so we can monitor the eruption of the baby teeth, and ensure that cavities do not develop. Even though the baby teeth are going to fall out, they need to be healthy in order to set a good foundation for the permanent teeth.
You can do a lot to help prevent tooth decay in your child. Much depends on good oral hygiene, and diet is also a factor. The most important thing you can do is make sure that your child learns how to brush and floss properly. By age two, a child should be flossing daily, and brushing after every meal. This is because when food remains in the mouth, it turns to sugar very rapidly, and this creates an environment where bacteria can flourish.
It almost goes without saying that you should refrain from offering too many sugary snacks, not just for your child’s dental health, but also for their overall well-being. Fruits and veggies are always good, but if you are offering fruit, brushing should follow because of the high sugar content in many of them.
You should also encourage your kids to drink plenty of water. Of course, it is important that they stay hydrated, but if they are eating in places where they may not be able to brush, water can rinse a certain amount of food away from the teeth.
Finally, bring your child to see Dr. Yusun Gohard and her pediatric dentistry staff every six months for a checkup. She can identify and treat cavities before they have a chance to take hold and possibly spread.
Contact Us
Dr. Yusun Gohard practices pediatric dentistry at A Healthy Smile Dentistry, located at 205 Ridgedale Avenue, #104, Florham Park, NJ 07932. You can arrange an appointment for your child by calling 973-377-2222, or by using the form on our Contact Us page.