Dental
Care
Most children have three or four teeth by the time
they are 12 months old and all 20 teeth (primary)
by the time they are 3. Your child's first teeth
are just as important as her permanent teeth and
should be given proper care; if her first teeth
are lost too soon, the adjoining teeth may drift
closer together leaving less space for the permanent
teeth to emerge. This can lead to overcrowding or
crooked permanent teeth and you child may need braces
or extractions later on.
Tooth decay:
When teeth are not cleaned properly, plaque - a
combination of food, mucus and bacteria - builds
on the teeth. Tiny holes or cavities are caused
when food residue comes in contact with bacteria
thereby producing acid. Fluoride strengthens the
teeth and helps to prevent tooth decay; it is found
in many brands of toothpaste and to water supplies.
Fluoride supplements should only be given on your
doctor or dentist's recommendation. Children's fluoride
toothpaste contain smaller amounts than ordinary
fluoride toothpaste because children tend to swallow
their toothpaste. Check with your dentist if you
are not sure of the toothpaste for your child.
Brushing her teeth:
Start cleaning your child's teeth as soon as her
first teeth emerge; for your toddler, use a soft
child-size toothbrush with no more than a small
pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste. Brush the
teeth in circular motions covering the inner, the
outer and biting surfaces of the teeth and covering
the gums as well. Get her to spit the paste out
instead of rinsing with water as this may reduce
the benefit of fluoride. Use a damp gauze with a
tiny amount of toothpaste to clean the teeth of
the reluctant child; wrap your finger over the damp
gauze and clean away.
Cleaning own teeth:
Most children don't have the dexterity to clean
their teeth properly until they reach ten so your
supervision is necessary.
Dos and Don'ts with Teeth
• Do brush your child's teeth twice a day
and after eating sugary foods
• Do check food labels for sugars
• Do buy sugar-free medicines
• Do take your child for her first dental
visit to the dentist by the time she is two
• Don't let her fall asleep drinking juice
from the bottle
• Don't dip her dummy into anything sweet
• Don't give her anything to eat or drink
after bed time tooth-brushing
Bedtime Routine:
Night time sleep problems may begin as your toddler
starts asserting her independence. The amount of
sleep a child needs varies: some children need more
and others less. A bad temper and fretfulness can
indicate a lack of sleep. Generally you can count
on: 12-14 hours (including naps) for a one year
old, 12-13 hours (including naps) for a two year
old, and 12 hours for a three year old. Most toddlers
nap in the day up to the age of 2 and some may need
a short sleep up to the age of 3 or 4. A nap will
last however long she needs it and usually occurs
at a regular time each day (e.g. after lunch). Some
toddlers refuse to nap but may still require rest
time; allow her to play quietly with some toys or
put on a music tape. If you wish for your toddler
to continue taking naps in the day, you should ease
her away from extra strenuous activity some time
before the nap time, offer her milk perhaps, make
sure her room is darkened and settle her down to
much as for bedtime. If she is resistant to napping
because she doesn't want to lose your company, spend
a short time reading to her or just relaxing.
A bedtime routine:
Establishing a simple and soothing bedtime routine
for your toddler creates security and is the first
step in preventing sleep problems. Try to keep to
the routine, so that your child understands that
it is bedtime.
• Set a time for your child to go to bed and
make sure she does so regularly. Give her ample
indications that bedtime is approaching.
• Bathe your toddler shortly before bedtime
each night; allow her to play a little but avoid
too much excitement
• Put her in her night clothes; give her milk
or snack before brushing her teeth
• Once she is in her bed, don't leave her
right away. Spend some quiet time with her - read
her a story or talk to her about the day's events.
• Tuck her in and give her a cuddle and a
goodnight kiss. Leave the room before she falls
asleep.
