Children start developing their baby teeth at six months. Due to some of the habits children have, their milk teeth might be at risk of damage. Although the primary teeth will eventually fall off, taking care of them is still significant since unhealthy teeth can damage your child’s gums and cause other general health issues.
Healthy teeth are everyone’s wish, including children. They help your kids chew, speak, and even sleep without difficulties. Also, oral care practices help your child develop good oral health habits as they grow.
To help your child develop acceptable oral care practices, you can consider the following:
- Let your child choose their toothbrush, especially the ones with their favorite colors
- Allow your child to pick their favorite toothpaste
- Use a timer to ensure your child brushes for two minutes
- Often reward your child for good oral care
- Accompany your child to their teeth to the dentist for check-ups and cleanings
Ways to Improve Your Childs Dental Health
Some of the ways your pediatric dental specialist might recommend to improve your dental health include:
Oral Exams and Cleanings
Brushing and flossing are not enough to eliminate all the debris and plaque on your child’s teeth. Therefore, you should consider regular dental cleanings and exams. During the exams, the kid’s dentist will examine your child’s teeth and offer treatments if they show any signs of a dental issue.
Oral exams and cleaning are essential to prevent dental issues such as tooth decay and gum infections, which can cause long term complications for your child.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is essential in your child’s dental health. The fluoride mineral can be found in drinking water and toothpaste. However, it might not be sufficient to prevent dental cavities. Therefore, your pediatric dentist will recommend fluoride treatments.
However, excessive fluoride can be harmful to your kid’s health.
Brushing and Flossing
Brushing and flossing your teeth is the primary preventative dental care practice. By brushing and flossing their teeth, your kids are at a reduced risk of developing dental issues since such oral hygiene practices help eliminate plaque tartar and debris from your teeth. Plaque and tartar on the teeth and gumline can cause tooth decay, gum infections, and sometimes tooth loss.
When your kids are brushing and flossing their teeth, it is advisable to supervise them, especially toddlers. Ensure the kids brush their teeth twice a day and change their toothbrush every three months. Flossing should be gentle to avoid bruising the gums.
Avoiding Sugary Foods
Kids love sugary foods, especially sticky candy. When the sugary foods stick on the teeth surfaces, they release acids that corrode the enamel, causing dental cavities. To prevent dental cavities, your dentist in Evergreen Park might recommend that your kids avoid sugary and sticky foods.
Diet
Your kid’s diet is significant in their dental health. Consuming foods rich in calcium helps strengthen their teeth. Therefore, your kid will be able to enjoy their favorite foods without any difficulties. Foods rich in calcium include:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Kales
- Spinach
- Soya drinks fortified with calcium
- Fish where you eat the bones, such as sardines
- Bread
Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables would be significant in improving your child’s oral hygiene. Crunchy fruits and vegetables help to rub plaque and debris from your teeth surfaces, preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
Protective Mouthguards
If your child plays contact sports, they might be at risk of dental injuries. Also, children who grit or clench their teeth might be at risk of root canal infections due to wear and tear. Therefore, you should consider visiting a kid’s dentist. The dentist will take impressions of the child’s teeth and make a custom protective mouthguard.
When to Seek Pediatric Dentistry Services
Your child starts developing their baby teeth at six months. Therefore, your child can start seeing the dentist a year after birth. Early visits help your kid’s dentist take a look at your child teeth condition’s and prevent any complications that may arise.
Regular dental visits after every six months for exams and cleanings. However, a dental issue might arise and compel you to take your child to the dentist before the routine dental exams. For pediatric dentistry services, you can visit us at Family Dental Care.
