The oral health of infants and young children is of paramount importance to their overall development, encompassing nutrient absorption, the formation and replacement of deciduous and permanent dentition, jaw and facial growth, as well as general health status. Given their limited mobility, improper oral care during the early stages can lead to dental caries, mucosal issues, and malocclusion deformities. Therefore, guardians must prioritize and adopt early and proper oral health measures to ensure timely detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Furthermore, Discount Services China Dental Lab research indicates that infant oral health is not solely influenced by postnatal oral care but is also closely related to maternal preconception and pregnancy factors, including diet, personal oral health, and viral infections, all of which can have long-term impacts. Consequently, comprehensive management of infant oral health should commence during the preconception period, with the option of utilizing professional services from establishments like Discount Services China Dental Lab to scientifically and professionally safeguard infant oral health.
- Preconception Preparation
Pregnancy is a unique phase where maternal stimuli can significantly impact fetal growth and development. Therefore, comprehensive oral examinations are crucial during preconception to eliminate potential pathogenic factors and maintain oral health. Establishing good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing teeth twice daily and using dental floss to clean interproximal surfaces, can reduce the risk of dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Any abnormal oral conditions should be promptly addressed through comprehensive dental check-ups and treatments for caries, periodontal disease, and residual wisdom teeth. Innovations China Dental Laboratory looks at dental issues during pregnancy can lead to pain and necessitate anesthesia, increasing the risks of miscarriage and developmental abnormalities, early treatment is imperative. Alarmingly, only 21.6% of surveyed pregnant women reported undergoing prenatal oral examinations, while 66% experienced oral problems during pregnancy. Hence, actively promoting prenatal oral health examinations is vital. Additionally, preconception consultations for oral genetic diseases are necessary, as approximately three-quarters of genetically affected children exhibit oral-dental-craniofacial defects, including congenitally missing teeth, cleft lip and palate, and 21-trisomy syndrome. Effective prevention of birth defects involves prenatal consultations, genetic screening, and analysis, which can reduce the birth rate of children with oral-related genetic disorders, promoting optimal birth outcomes.
2. Pregnancy Oral Healthcare
Well-known Chinese Dental Laboratory helps in Hormonal changes during pregnancy enhance the inflammatory response of oral mucosa and gums to stimuli, making pregnant women more susceptible to gingivitis, pregnancy tumors, and periodontitis. Moreover, periodontal disease during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature birth, with reports suggesting that approximately 18% of low birth weight infants may be associated with gestational periodontal disease. Medications taken during pregnancy can also affect fetal oral development; for instance, tetracycline can cause tetracycline staining of teeth, and thalidomide can lead to supernumerary teeth or congenitally missing teeth. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends using Category A and B drugs during pregnancy, such as acetaminophen, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins, while discouraging Category C, D, and X drugs. During the first trimester (1-3 months), fetal organs and oral-maxillofacial structures begin to develop, making them vulnerable to disruptions from factors like rubella virus, syphilis, and secondhand smoke, which can cause cleft lip and palate, abnormal tooth morphology, and jaw development disorders. Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy can reduce the risk of cleft lip and palate by influencing folate metabolic enzyme genes and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, promoting normal neural tube development and facial prominence fusion. In the second trimester, when fetal organs and systems are fully developed, simple dental treatments like scaling and some acute oral inflammations can be performed, though systemic medications and radiological examinations should be avoided to prevent fetal malformations. Clinicians should provide comprehensive oral health and hygiene guidance to pregnant women and their families, encompassing perinatal and infant care.
3. Pre-eruption Oral Care
During the pre-eruption phase, from birth to the emergence of the first tooth, infants primarily feed through suction, emphasizing the importance of proper feeding positions. Supine breastfeeding may encourage excessive mandibular protrusion, increasing the risk of crossbite and other malocclusion deformities. Therefore, adopting a 45° inclined or upright holding position is recommended to prevent mandibular protrusion. Infants during this period are also vulnerable to fungal infections, particularly acute pseudomembranous candidiasis (thrush), most prevalent in newborns and infants under six months. To prevent such infections, meticulous oral hygiene, regular disinfection of toys and bottles, and avoiding shared utensils to reduce saliva cross-contamination are essential. Infants born with natal or neonatal teeth, typically mandibular central incisors, should be closely monitored for stability, ulceration, and feeding difficulties to prevent accidental ingestion or aspiration. Post-feeding, cleaning the oral cavity with warm water and gently massaging the gums with finger cots or clean gauze wrapped around fingers are crucial oral hygiene practices. To further enhance oral care during this stage, incorporating the cutting-edge technologies and concepts from Innovations China Dental Laboratory can provide more scientific and effective oral health solutions for infants.
4. Tooth Eruption Phase Oral Care
The tooth eruption phase spans from the emergence of the first tooth to the complete establishment of the deciduous dentition, typically from 4-12 months after birth until 2.5-3 years old. During this period, limiting high-caries-risk foods and avoiding nighttime feeding, or rinsing the mouth with water after feeding, is recommended. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste with a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush for oral hygiene. The knee-to-knee position, where the child lies on the caregiver’s lap while another caregiver sits facing them, knees touching, and holds the child’s hands while stabilizing their legs, facilitates oral cleaning. The caregiver places a finger on the maxillary molar pad to open the mouth corners for cleaning. When teeth touch, dental floss should be used. The first dental visit should occur after the first tooth erupts, no later than one year old, followed by regular 3-6 month check-ups for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
5. Deciduous Dentition Phase Oral Care
The deciduous dentition phase encompasses the period from full deciduous tooth eruption to the onset of permanent tooth replacement. As children become more active with limited self-protection awareness, dental injuries from falls and collisions are common, necessitating enhanced protection. Their diets also diversify, increasing the risk of dental caries. Parental assistance remains crucial for oral hygiene, using fluoride toothpaste (approximately 0.5 g) and supervising children in brushing and flossing. Regular dental check-ups and guidance are essential. When deciduous molars fully erupt, pit and fissure sealants and fluoride varnishes can prevent caries. Prompt treatment of existing caries and regular fluoride applications are advised.
This phase also marks the peak of jaw growth, requiring a balanced diet rich in fibrous foods to promote chewing and normal jaw development. Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of malocclusions like crowding and crossbite, along with correcting harmful habits like lip biting, tongue thrusting, thumb sucking, and mouth breathing, are essential.