Putting the time and energy into helping your child with their dentistry is a worthwhile endeavor, since your child's dental health plays an active role in their overall health and development. As a parent, it's important to set your child on the right path to dental care, since more than 40 percent of kids aged 2 to 11 have experienced cavities. Employ these techniques and don't hesitate to reach out to your pediatric dentist for further help. 

Be Mindful Of Bottle Time

The bottle or drink thermos that your child uses can be one of the biggest detriments to your child's dental health. Bottle decay is a form of tooth decay that occurs when your child uses the bottle frequently without having their mouth cleaned afterward. Typically, the decay occurs when the child frequently goes to sleep drinking their bottle. Because of this, you need to make sure that you put the bottle up as soon as your child is finished drinking, and definitely never allow them to take it to sleep. Be proactive about weaning your child off of the bottle, so that it does not become a "crutch" that they turn to frequently, which also contributes to bottle decay. 

Take Cleaning Seriously

To begin building positive habits and to make sure that your child is getting a positive head start on their dental health, you'll need to begin some great dental habits and practices. As soon as the child is born, you should begin scrubbing their mouth and gums with a wet wash cloth, in order to get rid of any settling bacteria. Once their teeth start to sprout, between 6 months and a year or more, you can start brushing their teeth using a little bit of toothpaste at a time. 

Set Up Appointments With A Pediatric Dentist

Any dental professional will be able to help your child with a checkup, but you can maximize on their dental care by taking them to a pediatric dentist instead. These dentists are trained specifically in providing care for children, and are skilled at communicating with children, whether your child is talking yet or not. They can also help children who have special needs, and have the patience and training to make it a pleasurable experience for your child, while mitigating fear. 

Take advantage of this guide and use it so that you are able to help your child get the most of their dental care.