Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Oral Cavities in Your Little One
Having healthy teeth and an oral cavity is important to support your little one's growth and development. Not only in the process of chewing and swallowing food, the presence of teeth also helps your little one be more confident.
If Mom and Dad don't take care of the baby's teeth, then the teeth are prone to cavities or swollen gums may arise and cause the little one to not eat. This condition makes the little one have difficulty eating and speaking. As a result, nutritional status decreases and growth and development are not optimal. Of course, Mom and Dad don't want this to happen to the little one, right?
Early tooth care for your little one's teeth should be introduced. The role of parents is to teach how to take care of teeth and apply healthy habits that can protect against complaints that can arise from disease or infection of the teeth.
It's not difficult to keep your baby's teeth and oral cavity healthy. Here are practical ways that Mom and Dad can help at home:
- Show and teach how to brush your teeth properly and correctly.
It will be difficult for your little one to be able to brush his teeth properly and correctly if no one helps him. Therefore, mom and dad need to show the little one how to brush their teeth properly and correctly. Your little one still needs assistance in brushing their teeth until they are 8 years old, Mom and Dad.
- Use fluoride toothpaste.
The use of fluoride toothpaste is given since the baby's teeth first grow. The dose given is according to the age of the little one. Age 0–3 years is as big as one grain of rice, and age 3-6 years is as big as one pea.
- Brush your teeth after breakfast and before going to bed.
The recommendation that should be followed is to be consistent in the time of brushing your teeth and the duration of brushing your teeth. At least 2 minutes is recommended after breakfast and before going to bed.
- Limiting sugary and sticky foods while providing vegetables and fruit as healthy snacks
Giving snacks between the two main meals also needs to be considered. It is better for your little one to be introduced early to consuming cut fruit and nutritious snacks such as potatoes, broccoli, and others. Do not forget to drink enough water throughout the day. 30 minutes after consuming the main meal or snack, brush your little one's teeth, Mom and Dad.
- Reduce feeding on teat bottles
After 18 months, it is recommended that your little one not drink milk through a pacifier. Mom and Dad can train using a straw and a glass.
Those are the ways that Friends of Hermina can apply to maintain the health of your little one's teeth and oral cavity. In addition to applying these methods, don't forget to take your little one to the dentist every 6 months for a routine dental check-up.