For children, keeping their teeth healthy can be a challenge. Many children have tooth decay before the age of five and have their first cavity around eight years old. Parents can help their children take care of their teeth from the very beginning. It is possible for them to have healthy teeth and great smiles. Here are a few tips on how to keep your child’s smile healthy and decay-free.
Start Before Teeth Grow
Proper tooth care starts before your baby even gets teeth. After feeding your baby wipe the gums and tongue with a clean, damp cloth. This will help get the bacteria that collect from food off the gums and keep them healthy.
Start Dentist Visits Early
When your child cuts his first tooth, you can take him to the dentist. You should take them back every 6 months for cleanings and checksups. The dentist can prescribe fluoride drops or pills if necessary. He may also coat the teeth with fluoride varnish. He will also take x-rays and apply sealants as your child grows.
Of course, brushing is the key to taking care of anyone’s teeth. Start out brushing your child’s teeth with no toothpaste. When they are able to spit, apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to the brush. Be sure to get every area of the mouth.
It is recommended to brush teeth no less than two minutes to maintain optimum health. If your child is old enough, you can have them do a tint rinse. Put the rinse in the mouth and swish it. Spit it out and it leaves a colored tint on the teeth to help kids see where to brush.
Take Care of the Gums
The gums are the tissue that helps hold the teeth in place. It is also important to keep them healthy. Gingivitis is caused by the bacteria in food that settles onto the gum. It can cause inflammation, sensitivity, and bleeding of the gums. Later in life, if the gums are not kept healthy, it can cause so much decay that the teeth fall out. Keep gums healthy by brushing close to the gums and flossing in order to get food from between the teeth.
The key to keeping your child’s smile healthy is prevention. Taking care of your children’s teeth does not have to be difficult. It can be made simple and fun for you and your children.
12 Comments
I used to instill good oral hygiene habits for my kids at their early age. From brushing, flossing to going to the dentist. Yes! it’s great that they love going to dentist.
These are some really great tips! One of the best things you can do for your children’s oral health is to get them involved and establish good habits. Knowing from a young age how important dental hygiene is and how easy it is to maintain can do a lot for young children. Thanks so much for writing!
When I was younger, I didn’t brush my teeth very often. However, I’m glad that I’m able to correct that with my kids! I’ll be sure to emphasize a lot on taking care of their gums, and teaching them how to properly floss as well. Thanks for this advice!
Thanks for sharing this valuable information with the public Lizzie, I appreciate it. My #1 unknown dental hygiene tip to maximise and maintain whiteness of your teeth is to drink coffee, red wine and even sugary drinks through a straw because it will limit the staining effect these high acidity drinks may have on your teeth! Just my little contribution to your fantastic post, thanks again Liz.
Thanks for your tips and suggestions, child dentistry is really very responsible and required lot of skill because working with kids can be more complicated
Teaching children about brushing and flossing every day will set them to avoid complicated dental procedures in the later years of their life. Though a good dental care is very important for everyone irrespective of age, instilling good habits during the early stages of a kid’s life will help prevent the problem that is often associated with frequent dentist’s office visits.
Great Post!
Thank you so much for sharing this post.Teaching children about brushing and flossing every day will set them to avoid complicated dental procedures in the later years of their life. Though a good dental care is very important for everyone irrespective of age, instilling good habits during the early stages of a kid’s life will help prevent the problem that is often associated with frequent dentist’s office visits.Once again thank you for sharing this post. Keep Sharing.
I didn’t know it was a good idea for a dentist to see a child every 6 months. Kid’s teeth do develop rapidly after all. Early care can promote dental health for the rest of a child’s life.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful article. I will make sure to pass on that information to my children.
Showing youngsters brushing and flossing consistently will set them to keep away from confounded dental techniques in the later long periods of their life.
You should explain to your little one why it is important to go to the dentist. If you are looking for a Pediatric Dentistry Plano, you can visit chaseoaksdentistry.com
Thank you for sharing this insightful article on pediatric dentistry! It provided valuable information on maintaining children’s oral health. For exceptional pediatric dental care in Plano, I highly recommend Chase Oaks Family Dentistry. Their friendly team specializes in treating children and ensuring a positive dental experience.