Healthy teeth are the window to your child's overall well-being. It is very important for eating and talking. Proper dental hygiene makes your children form good dental habits as they grow. On the other hand, poor dental hygiene can result in infection, tooth decay, or other dental problems. Valley Creek Dental Care gives dental services like invisalign TX and cosmetic dentistry not only to the adults but also focuses on pediatric dentistry when it comes to the child's oral hygiene. Some points that can be helpful in making dental hygiene a fun routine for children are -
Give a chance to your children to select their own toothbrushes. They can choose according to their favorite cartoon character, color, and whatever they like.
Make them watch videos that teach good oral care habits.
Ensure that kids brush for at least 2 minutes. You can use a timer or play their favorite song to keep track of the time.
If your children are following good dental hygiene, do not forget to reward them. Remember to not give them sugary treats but offer healthy food like fruits.
Now, let's understand the ways to keep the oral health of your child in check.
The Important Role of Fluoride - Fluoride is an important element for the dental health of your child. It helps reduce cavities in primary and permanent teeth and strengthens the tooth enamel. Drinking water contains fluoride. Bottled water does not contain fluoride, and therefore you should not use it. If the water you are using does not have enough fluoride content, consider giving your child fluoride supplements after consulting the doctor. The dentist will perform the fluoride varnish on their teeth.
Furthermore, excess amounts of fluoride can cause tooth stains and may even be harmful to their health. Ensure your child is taught not to swallow toothpaste or mouthwash.
Brushing and Flossing - Teaching oral hygiene should begin when your child is a baby. Make your kids use a soft child-size toothbrush once they are 1 or 2. Wash their teeth with water twice a day. Most kids have the habit of swallowing toothpaste. Thus, make them use fluoride-free toothpaste, which is safer to use. You can teach them to use fluoride toothpaste once they are old enough to spit out the toothpaste. You can also consult the dentist to show your children the right way to brush their teeth. Once your children reach the age of 7-8, they can opt for a larger-sized toothbrush. Ensure to change their brush every 3-6 months.
Flossing also forms a vital part of children's dental hygiene. Teach them the technique of flossing and tell them to floss at least once a day. Brushing the tongue is also important for them as it keeps the bacteria in the mouth at bay.
Diet - Kids love to eat toffees and chocolates, which puts them at high risk of cavities. Teach them not to have soda, sugary foods, or sweetened drinks. Whenever your children consume sugary food items, ensure they brush their teeth once they are done with eating.
THE JOURNEY FROM BABY TEETH TO ADULT TEETH
Generally, baby teeth start appearing when the children are between 4 to 7 months old. Most babies get all the 20 baby teeth by three years of age.
Children start losing their primary or baby teeth once they are 5 or 6 years old up to 12 years of age. They start getting adult teeth. It is the time when you should take your children to the dentist, and he can rightly tell about the teeth problems to your child.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
It is not new that babies have the habit of sucking their fingers and thumbs. They give up this habit till they reach the age of four. But if they have yet not stopped sucking a pacifier or their thumb, you might need to look for a dentist as it can cause problems with teeth alignment in children. You need not worry about this habit as it can go up to the age of 6 when the permanent front teeth start coming.
WHEN TO SEE A DENTIST?
Experts advise taking your children to the dentist once they are about to get 1. It allows the dentist to determine the early dental problems in your child. Starting visiting the dentist at an early age makes them feel more comfortable.
ADDITIONALLY, NOT ONLY CHILDREN BUT EVERYONE SHOULD VISIT A DENTIST TWICE A YEAR.
Valley Creek Dental Care rightly understands the importance of dental hygiene and thus provides services like all on 4 implants, pediatric dentistry, wisdom teeth, implants, sedation dentistry, and many more. We treat each patient with utmost care so that they can feel at ease. Our comprehensive and preventive dental care uses advanced digital dentistry technology to achieve the desired results. We want you and your children to create a lifetime of happy smiles with healthy teeth. So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us for more information, and let your smile spread happiness around the world.