The health of the mouth and teeth is considered one of the most important foundations of the general health of the body, and this health is formed from the very first days after birth. Many parents think that because the baby has no teeth, there is no need for oral care; But the scientific reality shows something else. Children's oral hygiene from infancy is one of the most basic principles to prevent premature decay, oral infections, teeth growth disorder and even speech problems in the future.

If the child's oral care starts correctly from the first months of life, the child will have healthier teeth, higher self-confidence and much lower treatment costs in the future. In this article, we examine all aspects of children's oral hygiene from infancy; From definition and importance to prevention methods, treatments, educational exercises for children and false beliefs.

Children's oral hygiene from infancy is a set of measures that parents take from birth to maintain the health of the gums, tongue, oral mucosa, and then milk and permanent teeth. These actions include:

• Cleaning the baby's mouth before teething

• Brushing since the first tooth erupts

• Feed control

• preventing premature decay

The foundation of a child's oral health is formed in the first years of his life, and any neglect in this period will cause serious consequences in the following years.

Caring for children's oral hygiene from infancy is not just for having a beautiful smile, but also plays a decisive role in the child's general health:

• Reduction of risk

  prevention of oral infections

• Preserving the necessary space for the correct growth of permanent teeth

• Improving child nutrition and growth

• Prevention of pain, insomnia and loss of appetite

• Strengthening the child's self-confidence

• Decreasing dental treatment costs in the future

A healthy baby tooth paves the way for the correct growth of the jaw and permanent teeth.

reasons Occurrence of oral and dental problems in children

Knowing the main causes of oral and dental injuries helps parents to avoid risky behaviors.

1. Lack of hygiene from infancy

Many parents do not clean the baby's mouth and bacteria grow easily.

2. Frequent consumption of milk at night

Breast milk or powdered milk, if left on the teeth at night, causes early decay.

3. High consumption of sugary substances

Juices, biscuits, chocolate and snacks are the most important enemies of children's teeth.

4. Transmission of bacteria from parent to child

Kissing the child's mouth, using a common spoon and spitting the child's food transmits caries-causing bacteria.

5. Failure to visit the child's dentist

Many parents postpone the visit until the time of pain.

There are no teeth at this stage, but oral care is absolutely necessary:

• Clean the baby's mouth with moist sterile gauze after each feeding.

• Gently wipe the tongue, gums and the inside of the cheeks.

• Avoid putting any sweet substance on the pacifier.

• Avoid long-term sucking on the bottle while sleeping.

These measures form the basis of oral hygiene for children from infancy.

With the eruption of the first tooth (about 6 months old):

• Clean the teeth twice a day with a finger brush.

• Use only water (no toothpaste until one year old).

• Don't get the baby used to the bottle while sleeping.

• Do the first dental visit by one year old.

At this age the child starts to cooperate:

• Use baby toothpaste the size of a grain of rice.

• Do the brushing yourself, not the child.

• Make brushing a daily habit.

• Clean the baby's mouth after consuming milk at night.

This course plays a golden role in stabilizing the oral health of children from infancy.

At this stage:

• The amount of toothpaste increases to the size of a pea.

• The child is being taught but the parents are still monitoring.

• Dental floss is used for children.

• Regular visits are necessary every 6 months.

methods Prevention in children's oral hygiene: from infancy

1. Gradual education of the child

Introduce the child to the toothbrush in a playful way.

2. Modifying nutritional habits

Reduce the frequency of sugary foods, not just the amount.

3. Use of fluoride

Fluoride increases the resistance of the child's tooth enamel.

4. Not using a feeding bottle in sleep

The most important cause of premature decay is this habit.

5. Regular visits to the child's dentist

Early diagnosis prevents heavy treatments.

treatments common in children's oral and dental problems

If a problem still arises despite the observance of children's oral hygiene principles, the dentist uses the following methods:

1. Fluoride therapy

To prevent the development of primary caries.

2. Fissure sealant

covering the deep grooves of the teeth to prevent caries.

3. Restoration of milk teeth

With materials of the same color to maintain the permanent tooth space.

4. Treatment of milk tooth infection

To prevent damage to the permanent tooth bud.

5. Extraction of milk teeth in a controlled manner

In irreparable cases, to prevent the spread of infection.

Therapies Alternative and natural next to medical treatment

These methods are complementary, not substitutes:

• Using soft herbal toothbrushes

• herbal mouthwashes for children

• Consumption of foods that strengthen tooth enamel

• Increase intake of vitamin D and calcium

• Using a toothbrush for children (at an older age)

Exercises Suitable for children's oral health education

You can use the following exercises to stabilize children's oral hygiene from infancy:

• brushing with a children's song

• Using visual educational notebooks

• Encouraging the child after each brushing

• Parent and child brushing at the same time

• Using a 2-minute timer to finish brushing time

role Parents in children's oral health success

The child imitates the behavior of the parents. If parents:

• Don't brush your teeth

• Don't take care of your teeth

• Put off dental visits

The child also repeats the same pattern. The success of children's oral hygiene from infancy is directly dependent on the behavior of parents.

Complications Ignoring children's oral hygiene: from infancy

Ignoring this issue can cause:

• Severe caries of milk teeth

• Chronic pains

• Eating disorder

• damage to permanent teeth

• Speech disorder

• Decreasing the child's self-confidence

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Conclusion

Children's oral hygiene from infancy is the foundation of oral and dental health throughout life. Parents who start oral care from birth, prevent the occurrence of many diseases, pains and heavy treatment costs. With proper education, proper nutrition, regular visits to the child's dentist, use of fluoride and proper brushing habits, you can create a healthy future and a bright smile for your child. Oral health of a child today is the guarantee of his health in adulthood.

FAQ

• From when should we start the oral hygiene of the baby?
  From the first days of birth.

• Is it necessary to clean the mouth before teething?
  Yes, it is absolutely necessary.

• When is the child's first visit to the dentist?
  Until the end of one year.

• How much toothpaste is suitable for a child?
  Under 3 years, the size of a grain of rice.

• Does breast milk cause tooth decay?
  Yes, if left overnight on the teeth.

• How many times a day should a child's teeth be brushed?
  twice a day.

• At what age does flossing start?
  From when the teeth come into contact.

• Is fissure sealant harmful?
  No, it is completely preventative.

• Is it good to drink water after eating sweets?
  Yes, it helps reduce acid.

• Does a broken baby tooth need to be repaired?
  Yes, it is necessary to maintain the health of permanent teeth.

✅ Misconceptions

• The baby tooth doesn't matter, it will fall out by itself

• Because the baby does not have teeth, he does not need to clean his mouth

• Breast milk never causes caries ❌

• The child can brush his teeth well by himself ❌

• Seeing a dentist is necessary only when there is pain ❌

• Adult toothpaste is not a problem for a child ❌

• Decay of milk teeth has nothing to do with permanent teeth

• Fissure sealant is harmful for children ❌

• Genetics is the only cause of child tooth decay ❌

• No pain means a healthy tooth ❌