Want your kids to keep those shiny, healthy pearly whites as they grow? Well, who wouldn’t want that?

Well, are you ready to learn the ultimate secret to perfect teeth? Well, get ready for this: it’s pure dental hygiene!

Did you ever think for a moment that there will be some rocket science revelations here? Sorry if this disappointed you, but the secret really lies in establishing a good dental routine at an early age (as soon as the first baby tooth appears!).

A baby with good dental hygiene can prevent various dental problems, including cavities, gum disease, and abscesses. Keep in mind that these dental problems are not only painful, but may even require a treatment or two, which can also be quite expensive! Additionally, good dental hygiene can have a lasting effect on your facial appearance and also on speech development.

Encourage the development of healthy milk teeth

Your baby’s teeth begin to develop even before he is born. When your baby is around 6 to 9 months old, the first tooth (also called milk tooth or baby tooth) will normally start to appear.

Take care of your baby’s milk teeth as if they were gold. They will serve as the foundation for how mature teeth will eventually form.

How can dental problems in babies be prevented? Aside from proper brushing and regular dental visits, there are still a number of things you can do to ensure that your baby’s or any young child’s teeth remain healthy. Here are some suggestions that you may find useful:

o Load up on calcium. Make sure your baby drinks enough milk and starts eating calcium-rich foods when she is old enough to do so. This will help ensure proper development of the teeth and can also help maintain good dental health.

or Say no to sugar! Stay away from sugar-rich foods and drinks. You may also want to try sugar-free medications whenever possible.

o Minimize contact with sugar – sugar is not good for your baby’s dental health. However, if it cannot be avoided, try feeding your baby sugary foods only at mealtimes. It will minimize the amount of time sweet foods spend in your child’s mouth and may help lower the risk of developing dental problems later on.

o Do not add sugar to a baby’s bottle. Sugary drinks in the bottle are absolutely prohibited, as they can play a significant role in promoting dental cavities. When feeding your baby juice, dilute it first and ask him to drink it from a cup.

o Opt for healthy alternatives – Offer your baby some cheese or fruit as between-meal snacks. These contain essential nutrients vital for good dental health.

o Children should be discouraged from sucking their thumbs or fingers. This is an unhealthy dental habit that can affect the development of your baby’s teeth.

o Try to avoid using pacifiers (also known as pacifiers). These can also affect your baby’s teeth. And please, if you’re going to use them anyway, don’t dip them in honey or fruit juices! That will do double damage!