Dental care must be carefully handled throughout a person’s life, from infancy to adulthood, to prevent complications connected to poor oral health. Cleaning your child’s gums with soft cloths is recommended until baby teeth come in, after which daily brushing and flossing is necessary. Review why flossing your baby’s teeth is an essential part of their oral care as well as the optimal time to start.

Provide your baby with a strong dental care foundation with these tips:

Floss as Soon as Teeth Touch

Flossing is recommended by pediatric dentists as soon as your baby’s teeth begin to touch. Food and bacteria can get stuck in tiny spaces between baby teeth and promote decay. Ask your pediatric dentist for flossing instructions and recommendations, if necessary, as infants may become fussy. Enlist the help of your partner or a family member if you need help holding the baby while you floss.

Prevent Early Childhood Caries

Routine flossing and brushing not only helps prevent tooth decay, but also Early Childhood Caries (ECC). This is a serious form of cavities present in children up to 4 years old. Left unchecked, the decay will spread and affect underlying adult teeth. Take care of your baby’s teeth so they don’t need to be pulled prematurely, causing the remaining teeth to move and block adult teeth under the gums.

Rely on the pediatric dentistry experts at Pedodontic Associates Inc. to help your baby grow up with healthy teeth and gums. The renowned dental care center has served Oahu and Maui, HI, for over 25 years. Call one of the two Oahu locations at (808) 487-7933 (Pearlridge) or (808) 735-1733 (Kahala), or the Maui location at (808) 877-0066 to schedule an appointment. Visit Pedodontic Associates Inc. online for more information, and follow the dentists on Twitter for great dental care tips.