Research has indicated that a baby isn’t born with the bacteria Streptic Mutans, which causes tooth decay, but in fact picks it up from their caregivers within the first six months of their life. The caregiver should make use of mouthwash or chewing gum that contains Xylitol. Xylitol lowers the bacteria in the caregiver’s saliva and this lowers the risk of their child being infected.
Many parents are faced with the dilemma of their child not wanting to brush their teeth. To prevent a child’s aversion to brushing, start by swiping clean your baby’s mouth with gauze right from the very start. This helps a child become used to the sensation of cleaning their mouth and will ease the transition to brushing.
Say no to sugar
Your child does not need to get used to sweet things (sugar) such as cold drinks or candy.
To prevent gum disease and chronic infections in your mouth, floss the space under and between your teeth on a daily basis. These spaces can’t be reached with a toothbrush. Plaque that lives in these spaces causes infections – some of which you won’t even be aware of. Chronic infections in your mouth can lead to heart disease, diabetes, premature birth etc. If you floss every night, you can increase your life expectancy exponentially.
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Visit your dentist every six months to for early detection of possible gum disease or infections.