3 Most Important Tips for Children’s Teeth Care
30 Nov. 2020
Good hygiene is the most important thing when it comes to a kid’s dental health. Creating a routine that encourages kids to brush, floss, and use mouthwash ensures strong, healthy teeth for years to come. These home oral habits will complement the work that the doctor does to help keep your kids’ smile pretty and healthy.
Children can be unpredictable sometimes. How do you know when milk teeth come in? What do you do when your child loses a few of his teeth by accident? These tips will help you do your best as a parent that takes care of his kid’s health.
1. Encourage your kid’s teeth routine from an early age
Children’s dental routine should begin early in life. Right after your baby’s first tooth will appear, you should take him for a visit to the dentist. Don’t be late with it, as it is recommended for a child to get a dental checkup before his first birthday. Even babies can experience cavities.
Take advantage of your child’s first experience at the dental office by preparing a list of questions in advance. A pediatric dentist will provide advice about teething, how to avoid thumb-sucking and which pacifier to use.
When your kid will grow up enough to understand what a toothbrush and dental floss are, teach him to properly take care of his teeth and gums at home. These are the habits that your child must have by a certain age:
- Age 6: Because of the lack of proper motor skills your child probably will not be able to brush his teeth in the right way. Encourage him to - give him an opportunity to do it independently, but be ready to help when necessary.
- 7 to 12 years of age: Kids of this age already know that teeth-brushing is a must, but they may still neglect it. They can be considered teenagers, but there still may be a need for you to jump in and help. You need to encourage brushing and flossing habits all the time.
- 13 to 18 years of age: This age is critical for a child’s dental health. The rate of cavities development significantly rises during this period. Most teenagers haven’t experienced cavities as kids and may neglect their oral hygiene. Don’t let your kid start adulthood without an understanding of the importance of proper teeth care.
2. Find a pediatric dentist that your child will like
Visiting a proper pediatric dentist with tons of experience in treating children of all ages helps foster healthy teeth care habits for life. When choosing a potential pediatric dentist, make sure the office is located not that far from your house or your work. Be certain that the office offers convenient hours that fit you and your child. There’s no pleasure in being anxious and rushed at the dentist – especially for a kid!
Try to find the best pediatric dentist that provides a child-friendly environment. The outcome will be that the kid will take pleasure in visiting the dental office. And will always look forward to going back to brightly colored exam rooms full of games and toys. If your child is worried about visiting the dentist, try to relieve his anxiety by visiting the office in advance of the appointment. Together with your child read some books that feature characters at the dentist, and talk about the importance of professional dental care.
3. Teach your child about a healthy diet
The most important thing about nutrition and healthy teeth is limiting sugary foods. This can be especially hard during sweets centered holidays, like Halloween and Easter. Here are ways to reduce the effects of sugar on a child’s teeth:
- Bring sugary sweets on the table only after the main meal. A proper meal helps to produce enough saliva in the child’s mouth that will secure teeth from damaging properties of sugar.
- Keep excess candy in sealed bags and set up set times for when your child can have it.
- Use dental floss. It can help remove hard candy leftovers from the mouth. It can be hard to make a child use dental floss. Consider flossers featuring your child’s favorite character to make it interesting and fun.
- Encourage your kid to drink more water. It helps wash out the sugar and prevents tooth decay.
Provide your child with foods that are healthy for the teeth. Cheese is one of the healthiest foods for a child’s teeth. Dairy products provide lots of calcium and stimulate saliva secretion. Saliva washes out food leftovers and protects teeth from acids that can lead to cavities development.
The bottom line
Good dental habits should start at a young age. It’s important to monitor your child’s oral health as healthy baby teeth are important for strong adult teeth in the future.
