Teething can pose special problems, too. Teething babies love to chew on stuff, and a pacifier or wet cold washcloth can come in handy. Teething pain is usually worse at night and many pediatricians advise ibuprofen (but not for babies under 6 months of age). Other pain relievers such as clove oil, and even Orajel are not recommended.
All the baby teeth are usually erupted by age 2. By this age, the children love to brush by themselves, but really can’t do a great job at it. Parents should help kids with their brushing up to age 7-8 to make sure the plaque that builds up on teeth (and can cause cavities) is removed. The way to keep those cavities away is to watch the in-between meal sipping and snacking. Good snacks are low in sugar, such as carrots and apples. Fruit snacks can be sticky and lead to cavities, so it is good to limit their use.
Keeping teeth healthy for kids really means having a good diet and good brushing habits. Parents can really help kids develop good oral health habits early, which can be very important as the adult teeth come in. Health teeth can last a lifetime!
