Dental Care and Flouride
Most children begin to develop teeth between six (6) and twelve (12) months of age. Here are some tips on how to keep your child's teeth healthy and strong:
- CLEANING: As soon as teeth start emerging, they should be cleansed with a soft cloth. As your child gets older familiarize them with a toothbrush and its use. Use fluoride free toothpaste until he/she is able to effectively spit during brushing (to avoid excessive fluoride consumption). By age three your child should begin seeing a dentist who is accustomed to working with children.
- FLOURIDE: Fluoride is necessary to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities. Children need to ingest fluoride for their developing teeth from age six (6) months into adolescents. Wake and Johnston County city water supplies are supplemented with fluoride. Most well water in our area does not contain significant amounts of fluoride, however, we can provide you a water testing kit to check. If your water source does not contain fluoride or if you infant is exclusively breast fed, please inquire about fluoride supplementation at your next visit.
- Other dental problems may be prevented by discouraging prolonged thumb sucking and pacifier.
- Never give bottles during the night with toddlers as this can cause caries or rotting of the teeth.
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