| Your child should visit the dentist by
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| | brush their own teeth twice a day with
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| his or her first birthday. You can make
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| | supervision until about age seven to make
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| the first visit to the dentist enjoyable
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| | sure they are doing a thorough job.
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| and positive. Your child should be
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| | However, each child is different. Your
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| informed of the visit and told that the
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| | dentist can help you determine whether
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| dentist and his staff will explain all
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| | the child has the skill level to brush
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| procedures and answer any questions. The
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| | properly.
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| less to do concerning the visit, the
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| | Proper brushing removes plaque from the
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| better. It is best if you refrain from
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| | inner, outer and chewing surfaces. When
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| using words that might cause unnecessary
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| | teaching children to brush, place
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| fear, such as needle, pull, drill or
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| | toothbrush at a 45 degree angle; start
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| hurt. Pediatric dental offices make a
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| | along gum line with a soft bristle brush
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| practice of using words that convey the
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| | in a gentle circular motion. Brush the
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| same message, but are pleasant and
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| | outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and
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| non-frightening to the child.
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| | lower. Repeat the same method on the
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| It is very important to maintain the
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| | inside surfaces and chewing surfaces of
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| health of the primary teeth. Neglected
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| | all the teeth. Finish by brushing the
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| cavities can and frequently do lead to
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| | tongue to help freshen breath and remove
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| problems which affect developing
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| | bacteria.
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| permanent teeth. Primary teeth, or
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| | Flossing removes plaque between the teeth
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| baby-teeth are important for: (1) proper
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| | where a toothbrush can't reach. Flossing
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| chewing and eating. (2) providing space
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| | should begin when any two teeth touch.
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| for the permanent teeth and guiding them
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| | You may wish to floss the child's teeth
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| into the correct position, and (3)
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| | until he or she can do it alone. Use
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| permitting normal development of the jaw
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| | about 18 inches of floss, winding most of
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| bones and muscle. Primary teeth also
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| | it around the middle fingers of both
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| affect the development of speech and add
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| | hands. Hold the floss lightly between the
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| to an attractive appearance. While the
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| | thumbs and forefingers. Use a C-shape and
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| front 4 teeth last until 6-7 years of
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| | slide it into the space between the gum
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| age, the back teeth (cuspids and molars)
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| | and tooth until you feel resistance.
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| are not replaced until age 10-13.
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| | Gently scrape the gloss against the side
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| Radiographs (X-rays ) are a vital and
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| | of the tooth. Repeat this procedure on
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| necessary part of your child's dental
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| | each tooth. Don't forget the backs of the
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| diagnostic process. Without them, certain
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| | last four teeth.
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| dental conditions can and will be missed.
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| | Healthy eating habits lead to healthy
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| X-rays may be needed to survey erupting
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| | teeth. Like the rest of the body, the
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| teeth, diagnose bone diseases, evaluate
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| | teeth, bones and the soft tissues of the
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| the results of an injury, or plan
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| | mouth need a well-balanced diet, Children
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| orthodontic treatment. X-rays allow
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| | should eat a variety of foods from the
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| dentists to diagnose and treat health
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| | five major food groups. Most snacks that
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| conditions that cannot be detected during
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| | children eat can lead to cavity
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| a clinical examination. If dental
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| | formation. The more frequently a child
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| problems are found and treated early,
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| | snacks, the greater the chance for tooth
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| dental care is more comfortable for your
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| | decay. How long food remains in the mouth
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| child and more affordable for you.
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| | also plays a role. For example, hard
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| Pediatric dentists are particularly
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| | candy and breath mints stay in the mouth
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| careful to minimize the exposure of their
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| | a long time, which causes longer acid
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| patients to radiation. With contemporary
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| | attacks on tooth enamel. If your child
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| safeguards, the amount of radiation
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| | must snack choose nutritious foods such
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| received in a dental X-ray examination is
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| | as vegetable, low fat yogurt, and low-fat
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| extremely small. The risk is negligible.
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| | cheese which are healthier and better for
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| In fact, the dental X-rays represent a
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| | children's teeth.
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| far smaller risk than an undetected and
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| | Good oral hygiene removes bacteria and
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| untreated dental problem . Lead body
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| | the left over food particles that combine
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| aprons and shields will protect your
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| | to create cavities. For infants, use a
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| child. Today's equipment filters out
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| | wet gauze or clean washcloth to wipe the
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| unnecessary X-rays and restricts the
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| | plaque from teeth and gums. Avoid putting
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| X-ray beam to the area of interest.
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| | your child to bed with a bottle filled
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| High-speed film and proper shielding
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| | with anything other than water. For older
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| assure that your child receives a minimal
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| | children, brush their teeth at least
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| amount or radiation exposure.
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| | twice daily. Also watch the number of
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| Care of your child's teeth begins with
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| | snacks containing sugar that you give
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| daily brushing as soon as the child's
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| | your children.
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| first tooth erupts. A pea-sized amount of
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| | Dental appointments should begin on your
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| fluoride toothpaste can be used after the
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| | child's first birthday and routine visits
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| child is old enough to not swallow it. By
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| | every 6 months will start your child on a
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| age 4 or 5, children should be able to
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| | lifetime of good dental health.
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