In the dental world, ages 4–7 are a really exciting time—kids begin to lose their baby teeth, they are introduced to the Tooth Fairy, and their adult molars start to come in. While this is fun for dental professionals, it also presents new challenges for parents. Check out these five things you need to know to care for your child’s teeth at home!
Brush, Brush, Brush!
Yes, we know this seems obvious, but brushing your teeth is the first step to a healthy, sparkling smile! This is also a good age to introduce your child to flossing. As soon as their back teeth begin to touch, they must learn to floss correctly. If you have any questions about this, we would love to give you a few flossing tips when you come in for your child’s next appointment! You can also check out our YouTube Channel, as we have more flossing tips there.
How to Handle Teething
You may think your child has finished teething, but this is the age when their six-year molars start to come in. These are their very back molars, which we encourage you to have sealed off to prevent tooth decay. The teething process for six-year molars can be as painful as the teething process for infants, so you’ll want to use ibuprofen to relieve their discomfort.
Controlled Snacking
Many children become more independent around this age, so they can get into the pantry to snack whenever they want. We encourage you to eliminate grazing. Rather than grabbing a handful of snacks every time they pass the kitchen, have them sit down for their snacks. This allows time for their saliva to break down any remaining food, slowing and preventing tooth decay.
Losing Baby Teeth
Most children begin to lose teeth between the ages of four and seven, and we hope you will encourage your child through this process. Typically, the lower teeth loosen before the upper teeth. When your child notices one of their teeth is loose, encourage them to wiggle it and try to get it out on their own. Sometimes you’ll have a stubborn tooth that doesn’t want to come out. If this is the case, call our office—we would love to help your child remove their tooth!
Introducing the Tooth Fairy
We think this is the perfect time to introduce your child to the Tooth Fairy! While losing teeth can be scary for your child, the Tooth Fairy is an excellent way to make it fun and enjoyable. If you have any questions about introducing your child to the Tooth Fairy, give us a call. We would love to connect you with the proper resources for you and your child!
Find More Resources
For more educational videos and resources that can help keep your child’s smile happy and healthy, check out our YouTube Channel! Make sure you subscribe and click the bell to receive notifications when we drop our latest videos!