Karen’s Free Health and Fitness Tips

Your child’s Dental Care begins before birth. Did you know that your child’s teeth can begin the first stage of development in the fetus between the third and sixth month of pregnancy and as soon as 6 weeks? This is when the basic substance is formed. A soon to be mom should practice healthy eating habits early on. Good nutrition is very important during pregnancy for the proper dental care, oral health in the development of a child’s teeth. The right amounts of calcium, vitamin C, vitamin D and phosphorus are needed to be included in a mother’s diet, along with dairy, soy products, leafy greens and fortified cereals. Certain medications should be avoided during pregnancy, like tetracycline, it can cause harm to the substance found in the developing teeth of the embryo.

Your Child’s first visit to the Dentist
It is very important to make sure your child’s first visit to the Dentist is a pleasant experience. We all know how important first impressions are, they can last a lifetime. Your child’s first visit should be between the age of 1 and 2. The dentist can check for the beginning signs of tooth decay and also suggest a fluoride treatment to help prevent decay. You can also discuss with him, thumb sucking, a habit most children develop. He can advise you on some of the methods used to break this habit and help prevent the dangers to the developing teeth. Inform the dentist about any illness or medications your child may be taking. If you don’t understand any of the recommendations, don’t be afraid to ask for a more detailed explanation.

Keep an Active Role
It is very important for a parent to keep an active role in the care of their children’s dental care and oral health, teach by example, by brushing and flossing yourself. Children that maintain good dental care and oral habits through their teens, are more likely to continue brushing and flossing into their adulthood.

Don’t wait for an emergency to arise to take your child to their first visit, this will be an unpleasant experience and that will leave a bad impression on them. It is important for you to keep a positive attitude, do not show fear or anxiety, remember your child can pick-up on these emotions and mirror them. Reassure them that the dentist is friendly doctors, that will help them take care of their teeth, maybe reward them with something special after the visit.

By: Joe Nascimento

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