Your little bundle of joy is finally home. Whew! Now, do a little housekeeping as your new phase in life begins. Babies are cute, but the duty to keep them healthy and clean is all yours. Not an easy ride, and it never ends, but it’s not impossible.
Your baby’s teeth may not be visible now, but you’ll notice small white ivories a few months later. At times, even before you notice, you may feel the bumps when the baby is breastfeeding. Those will be the primary teeth guiding your child through much of their childhood, and how you take care of them from here on will reflect in their smile as they age. Below are three reasons you should budget for your child’s smile.
1. Give Your Child Regular Dental Checks
Ensure they’re checked when taking your baby to the clinic. This will ensure the health workers arrest teeth anomalies early. Teeth give a child a general facial shape and outlook. Sadly, children are victims of cavities from very early ages. The American Dental Association has reported more than 40% of children entering kindergarten already have dental cavities. This is despite having had a doctor’s visit within a year.
Most of these dental problems can be traced to snacking. Children eat cookies, cereal, chocolates, sodas, and other sugary snacks and rarely clean their teeth immediately. The bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugary foods left on the teeth, resulting in cavities. Parents sometimes allow their children to get away with snacking as a self-soothing habit, both for the baby or child and the adult.
2. Do Not Miss The Child’s Dental Treatments
You could be in the habit of postponing the doctor’s appointments or forgetting it was scheduled. When you have a child, you’ll need to plan twice as much as you did because you’ll be planning for another human. The dentist may have examined your child’s teeth and asked you to bring him in later. Forgetting the appointment means the dental treatment will not be done on time or at all.
The National Library of Medicine records that many dental problems go untreated, with up to 20% of children aged five to 11 years having untreated, decayed teeth. The problem can be traced to a lack of access to oral health services in some communities, while for some children, the parents cannot afford a doctor’s trip.
3. Be Proactive In Protecting Your Child’s Teeth
You love your child, but do you know your choices could affect their health? The foods you give them matter, which includes how much sugar they’re ingesting. Their health also includes how soon you get them started on oral health. This also means ensuring they brush their teeth often and properly.
Mothers are the culprits for letting their children go loose, especially if they suffer from stress while pregnant. Mental health experts report that nearly 10% of expectant mothers are diagnosed with a mental disorder. It’s a lonely journey for some who must bear the pregnancy alone, without spousal support or no family nearby. For them, it’s calming when their baby or child is happy, which could mean giving them sweet snacks every time.
As a mother, seek help if you’re overwhelmed. If your mental health is taking a hit, especially through depressive symptoms, see a professional mental therapist. Help with taking care of your child will give you some time off to rest and refresh.
Childhood should be enjoyable. Ensure your child has the best oral health to give them a healthy dental start. Monitor their oral health, however tedious some of these visits to the doctor could be. If you factor your child’s dental health into your budget, the fruits of your parenting will pay off.