Nurture Your Child’s Smile with Your Family Dentist in Waterbury

Nothing is more important than your child’s health and development. Besides a well-balanced diet and their education, there is another factor that influences their well-being. Your child’s smile is vital to their ability to chew and speak. Although the baby teeth eventually fall out, they serve an important role while they are in place. To nurture a beautiful, functional smile, your family dentist in Waterbury offers the services they need for healthy teeth and gums.

Foster a Healthy Smile

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, which is dedicated to promoting the oral health of children. All too often, it is believed the primary teeth do not require the same care as the permanent ones because they eventually fall out. Although they are only in place for a few short years, they are invaluable to your child’s development.

Between the ages of 6 months and 1 year, your child’s baby teeth erupt through the gum tissue. By the time they are 3, they should have 20 primary teeth. As each tooth comes in, they allow your child to learn how to chew, speak, and smile. They also act as placeholders for the permanent teeth to ensure there is enough room for them to come in.

When there are issues with the baby teeth, like cavities or losing a tooth too soon, it can have lasting complications for their oral health. Even before your child’s first tooth erupts, it is time to invest in your child’s smile with the right care at home and from their family dentist.

Caring for Your Child’s Smile

Before your child has their baby teeth, you can incorporate oral hygiene into their daily routine by using a soft cloth to wipe down their gums. After they have 4 baby teeth, it is time to introduce a toothbrush. Choose one with soft bristles that accommodates the size of their mouth to clean all surfaces of their teeth twice a day. Around the age of 6, your child’s teeth move closer together. Now, it is time to encourage the habit of daily flossing.

Although their home oral hygiene habits are important, they are not enough for a healthy smile. Around the age of 1, it is time for them to visit their dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. This allows your dentist to monitor their oral health to detect areas of concern sooner. Quick intervention lessens the need for an invasive treatment in the future. Routine appointments also allow your child to develop a trusted relationship with their dentist to create the foundation they need to commit to their dental health throughout their life.

Encourage a Healthy Smile

You can give your child the foundation they need for a lasting smile with the right oral hygiene habits at home. With the guidance of a family dentist, you can ensure their teeth develop correctly.

About Dr. Luciano Marini

Dr. Luciano Marini and Dr. Mancini cater to young patients to build generations of healthy smiles. Using a focus on prevention, Waterbury Smiles offers the services your child needs to promote their dental health. If it is time for their next cleaning and checkup, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.