As a parent, you want to ensure your children have the best possible oral health. But what are the things you should be doing to make sure their teeth stay healthy? Here are some tips to follow.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
One of the most important things you can do for your children’s dental health is schedule regular checkups with the dentist. This will help catch any problems early on and prevent them from becoming more serious.
You must start taking your kids to the dentist at one or as soon as their first tooth erupts. You should then continue to take them for regular checkups every six months. Doing this will also ensure that they do not develop a fear of dentists.
Ask your dentist at what age your kids must start using toothpaste with fluoride. That will help a lot in preventing cavities.
As your kids grow, your dentist may find that they need orthodontic appliances to correct some teeth issues. Do not scrimp on these, as they will affect how your kids’ teeth grow. Make sure you get the best quality. Also, find role models in children’s movies, TV shows, and online to show your kids that wearing these appliances is cool.
Discourage Children from Extended Thumb Sucking and Use of Pacifiers
Thumb sucking is a natural instinct of babies. In most, this gradually stops at around seven months old. In others, it can be a habit that extends beyond the toddler years. That can harm the alignment of teeth.
Pacifiers have the same effect as thumb sucking. It is easier to wean kids away from the pacifier. Just gradually lessen its use and keep it out of sight. Give various toys in place of the pacifier and comfort your baby.
One way to discourage thumb sucking is to observe when the child does it and immediately distract the child. You can use a toy or interact happily with your child. Do not use force or anger, though. That will have a more negative effect on the child.
Protect Baby Teeth
Some parents think that just because baby teeth are not permanent, they don’t matter. They do. It’s essential to protect baby teeth to avoid getting cavities.
The purpose of baby teeth is to be placeholders for permanent teeth. Once the permanent teeth start growing, they push the baby teeth out. However, if the baby teeth are gone too soon, nothing is there to guide the growth of permanent teeth. This can lead to misaligned or overlapping teeth.
Teach Them Good Oral Hygiene Habits
It’s important that you teach your children good oral hygiene habits from an early age. This includes brushing their teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and using mouthwash. Help them develop a routine so that they remember to do these things regularly.
When your kids are below six years old, supervise them every time they brush their teeth. Ensure that they know how to spit out the toothpaste and not swallow it.
Teach them to brush each tooth thoroughly from all angles. Demonstrate this by brushing their teeth for them. Afterward, observe how they do it. If you do this from the time they are toddlers up to six years old, it will be ingrained as a habit.
Make Sure They Eat a Healthy Diet
The foods we eat can impact our dental health, so it’s important to encourage your children to eat a healthy diet. This means eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as limiting sugary snacks and drinks.
Sticky candy like caramel, toffee, gummy bears, and dried fruit can stick to teeth and stay. The sugar content is damaging to teeth. Limit your kids’ exposure and when they have them, ensure that they brush their teeth immediately afterward.
Do not allow your children to sip milk or juice for extended periods. Even milk and unsweetened fruit juice contain natural sugars. Having these in children’s mouths constantly can damage their teeth. Encourage them to drink water instead throughout the day. This will help wash away food particles and keep their mouths hydrated.
You can give them sugar-free chewing gum after meals to help stimulate saliva production and protect their teeth. Teach them to avoid chewing on hard objects, which can damage their teeth.
Keep Your Children’s Smiles Healthy
By following these tips, you can help ensure your children have healthy teeth and gums. Remember to schedule regular dental checkups, teach them good oral hygiene habits, and make sure they eat a healthy diet. Doing these things will go a long way in keeping their smiles bright and healthy for years to come!
