A child’s oral health begins with a healthy pregnancy . This is because  teeth start to form  in the second trimester of pregnancy. It is therefore  important for pregnant women to eat healthy and get adequate vitamins and minerals. They should also have a complete  dental care and have any gum disease treated.
 

Your  child’s first teeth usually erupt around 6 months even though it varies  from child to child. All 20 primary teeth should come in between 6 months to 3 years. She should start losing her primary teeth  between ages 6 to 11 years.

It is important for parents to work with pediatricians to establish good oral health care to reduce the child’s risk of dental problems.

General guidelines for maintaining your child’s oral health

 
Fluoride :  This mineral is found in many foods and added to drinking water in some cities. According to the American Academy of pediatrics, fluoride is beneficial to oral health in the following ways :

• strengthens the tooth enamel
• reduces the ability of plaque bacteria to produce acid
• makes the teeth more resistant to acid attacks that cause tooth decay

 
You can check with the local water utility agency to see if your water contains fluoride. If it doesn’t , you can ask your doctor about prescription fluoride drops or chewable tablet for your child

Keep your child’s  teeth clean : If you see stains on your child’s teeth, you should take her to see the dentist. Healthy teeth should all be white in color. Help your child to brush her teeth until she is about 7 to 8 years old.

Give your child healthy food : Give your child fruits and vegetables instead of candy.  Choose foods and beverages that are low in sugar. You need to be careful with dry fruits such as  raisins. They get stuck at the roof of the grooves of the teeth and cause cavities when not cleaned well.

Prevent tooth decay : You can prevent tooth decay by doing the following :

• do not put the baby to bed with a bottle at night or during nap time
• during the day, do not give the child a bottle filled with sweet drink  to use as a pacifier
• do not dip your child’s  pacifier in anything sweet such as sugar or honey
• teach the child to drink from cup rather than a bottle when she is about a year old

 
Take your child to see a dentist : The dentist will usually see the child by her first birthday or within 6 months of when the first tooth erupts. During this visit, the dentist will check on your child’s teeth and determine the frequency of future visits.
 
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