Children with poor dental health may also experience associated symptoms, including inadequate nutrition, poor self-esteem and problems with speech development.

Tooth decay is something one normally associates with adults, but it’s happening more and more in young children and toddlers. Dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease, five times more common than asthma in children, and significantly more prevalent than chronic bronchitis.

Untreated caries in children may affect the growth of adult teeth, with poor dental health and disease persisting into adulthood. Caries can lead to infection, pain, abscesses, chewing problems, malnutrition and gastrointestinal disorders. It can affect speech and articulation, and like many chronic diseases, the risk factors of early childhood caries also contribute to childhood obesity and malnutrition.

Brush your child’s teeth at least twice a day. You must also clean his tongue and massage his gums. Use a fluoridated toothpaste when cleaning his mouth. If your child wants to brush his own teeth, you must supervise them.

Floss with dental x-ray machine your toddler’s teeth everyday once he reaches two years of age.

Provide a healthy and well-balanced diet for your child. Limit or eliminate sugary snacks and liquids, such as soft drinks and soda.

Visit their dentist regularly and ask about what fluoride to use or dental sealants to protect your child’s teeth.

Schedule regular dental scaler and examinations for your toddler. It is advisable to have dental cleanings every six months.

Dental Visit When Your Infant Turns One: It is advisable to bring your infant to a dentist when they are around six months to one year of age, or once his first tooth emerges. Early dental visit means getting a better chance of preventing dental problems. Remember that if your child has healthy teeth, he will be able to chew his food easily, learn to speak more quickly and clearly, and develop self-esteem.

Healthy Diet: As a parent, you must provide your child with a healthy diet. This means that you must limit the frequency of snacking which can increase the risk of developing tooth decay and cavities. By limiting the amount of time that your toddler snacks throughout the day can significantly lower the chances of tooth decay.