How To Care For Toddler Teeth

Usually by the time your baby is a toddler he will have some toddler teeth and no doubt, looks very cute! Lots of toddlers do not like having their teeth brushed and it can spark off toddler tanturms at bedtime. However, it's so important to clean your toddlers teeth twice a day so here we look at children's teeth in general and how to brush teeth in a fun and healthy way.

How To brush your toddler's teeth
Toddler teeth needs to brushed in the morning (ideally after breakfast) and at his toddler bedtime (after any snacks). You need to try and clear any little bits of food from or between his teeth.

Buy a fun toddler toothbrush (toddler brushes are smaller and softer than adults so be sure to buy an age-specific toothbrush),use age appropriate toothpaste and make the process as fun as possible.

Use a pea-sized amout of toothpaste and circular motions. "Sawing" or going from side to side does not clean between the teeth and could damage gums. Clean different sections including the backs at a time.

Here are our top toddler teeth cleaning tips:

• Give your toddler a toothbrush and let him brush your teeth whilst you brush his. It can be messy...
• Brush his teeth in a mirror so that he can admire his teeth.
• Count to 60 (or as far as you can get) in silly voices.
• Sing a teeth brushing song - any nursery tune that he knows and you just change the words so Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush could be We Are Going To Brush Your Teeth, etc - anything to make the activity a bit fun.
• Let him brush his teeth if he wants and then you check. You need to check your child's teeth until he is around ten years old as until they he does not have the hand and finger skills to clean his teeth thoroughly.
• Encourage your toddler to spit out and not eat the toothpaste - too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis which causes white spots on the tooth enamel. Keep the toothpaste out of his reach in general. Too much toothpaste can be poisonous and can lead to vomiting.

Teething usually starts at around 6 months and continues until about he is about 3 years old when he will have 20 pearly teeth. Teething often causes pain and discomfort as the roots grow and push the teeth through the gums. The most painful teeth to come through are usually the first teeth and the molars. Here are some signs of teething to watch out for:

• More dribbling than usual - use a bib to avoid your toddler's skin from being too wet and replace it regularly. Offer your baby or toddler water throughout the day to replenish his fluids.
• More crying and more clingy than normal
• Chewing on hard objects
• Red, swollen gums
• Poor appetite as his gums hurts
• Increased bottle or breast feeding for comfort
• Interrupted sleep due to pain and discomfort

Toddler Teeth: Teething Pain Relief

Unfortunately there is not much you can do in way of teething pain relief. However, here are a few tips to try:

• use teething gel which cools the gums
• distract your toddler from the pain by doing a fun activity together
• offer reassurance through cuddling and closeness

How to look after little toddler teeth during the day
One of the many responsibilties of being a parent is looking after your toddler's teeth and helping your child form good habits that will last a lifetime. Here's some top tips to keep your toddler's teeth healthy:

• Avoid juice at both mealtimes and during the day. Instead give water or milk.
• Instead of giving sugary snacks offer fruit.
• Be organised in what snacks and drinks you have with you when you are out and about. Bring a small bag of grapes or sticks of carrot and a beaker of water.
• If you give your toddler juice at mealtimes use a beaker or a cup rather than a bottle so that you limit the amount of juice he drinks.
• Offer your toddler milk and dairy products, such as cheese and yoghurt to get calcium and vitamin D for strong teeth and bones.
• Avoid sweets and biscuits as a daily food. It's better for his toddler teeth and general health to keep sweet foods as treats. Sugar converts to acid in the mouth which then attacks the enamel. Food that is sucked for a long time, such as lollipops or chewy or sticky sweets are more harmful than foods that are swallowed relatively quickly i.e. cakes and biscuits. This is also true for dried fruits which also convert to sugar and stick to the teeth. More healthy snacks are fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Your child is likely to have sugary food so you need to supervise his amount.
• When he has sugar then it's helpful to his teeth to have a drink of milk to neutralize the sugar.

Going To The Dentist
Going to the dentist can be built into a scary occasion by adults or older children. There is no need for this and it's harmful to your toddler. Take your child to the dentist when you go (check ups at six monthly intervals are recommended) so that he gets used to the big chair and bright lights. As soon as your toddler's teeth come through you can start taking him to the dentist for check ups.