Signs of normal development in babies is a very joyful time for parents. Some of these signs of normal functionality include walking, talking, sitting up by themselves and even the eruption of teeth. Even though these signs bring joy to the proud parents, they often signify the need for the parents to be more cautious and alert for the good of their baby.
When a baby’s teeth emerge from the gums and start growing, the process is known as teething. For starters, teething causes discomfort and irritation to the gums and this makes the child insert whatever they can into their mouths to try reduce the irritation. Suffocation due to ingested polythene or the blockage of the gastrointestinal tract due to the swallowing of indigestible materials often occurs if the child is not carefully looked after and in some cases, death does occur. From about five months, the baby will start the process of teething and getting them a pediatric dentist will ease their discomfort in the long run and ensure that their teeth grow as they should.
Cleft lip or palate, is a birth defect that occurs when a baby is born without the proper formation of the mouth epithelia and jaw structure. In the present day and age, such defects are easier to solve with the aid of qualified pediatric dentists and surgeons. The formation of teeth after such reconstructive surgeries is usually undeterred and everything goes well. A physiotherapist is sometimes sought to help with mobility of the jaw and facial muscles after a cleft lip or palate surgery.
With age, the regular consumption of sugary foods will lead to increased chances of experiencing tooth decay, as well as cavities. A good oral hygiene routine will prevent this. For example, brushing teeth twice daily will help reduce the risk of cavities. How this helps, is by breaking down the molecular structure of bacteria that eats at the tooth enamel leaving it weak and susceptible to caving in. When looking to remove food particles that are stuck in the crevices of teeth, flossing is a highly recommended practice.
Proper oral hygiene should be observed when one desires strong and healthy white teeth. Feeding your children healthy foods such as carrots, sugarcane and maize will improve the strength of your children’s gums and teeth in general. Staying away from snacks such as biscuits will go a long way to preventing tooth decay. For peace of mind, one should also schedule regular visits to the pediatric dentist to ensure the proper oral health of their children.