How to Make Sure Your Kids Develop Strong and Healthy Teeth
You want the very best for your kids. You give them the most devoted care, provide ample learning opportunities, and allow them to develop into the talented, unique individuals that they were meant to become. Part of that development is to care for their teeth. Dental hygiene is a fundamental part of your child’s emotional and physical health.
Pay Attention to What You Feed Them
Healthy teeth start with what you feed them. Healthy choices for strong teeth are all about what should go into their mouths and what shouldn’t. The best foods include high-fiber fruits and vegetables. The American Dental Association suggests that a high fiber diet is the next best thing for your child’s teeth, after brushing and flossing. High sources of calcium are also great for strengthening those little pearly whites. Cheese has the additional benefit of being a high saliva producer, which can help restore the proper minerals to their teeth after they have been attacked by plaque. Of course, you know the foods to avoid. Candy, sweet treats, and soda are some of the biggest enemies to the development of strong and healthy teeth.
Make Dentist Appointments
Experts recommend that your child see a dentist two times a year. Your baby’s first dental exam should happen right around their first birthday. Even if your baby only has one or two teeth, those teeth are still subject to plaque, the thin, sticky film that clings to your teeth. When sugary or starchy foods mix with plaque, acid forms and attacks your child’s freshly budding teeth. A pediatric dentist can help remove harmful plaque from your child’s teeth. Early intervention is paramount for combatting tooth decay and gum disease.
Establish a Daily Oral Hygiene Routine
When you start teaching your child proper oral hygiene from the moment they push their first tooth, they will develop a lifelong habit of good dental care. Use a baby toothbrush with a tiny drop of baby toothpaste to gently brush each tooth, allowing any excess to dribble out of their mouth. By preschool age, you can give your child a turn at brushing their own teeth. Do this before or after you brush them. Most school-aged kids are ready to begin brushing on their own.
Just make sure that they are supervised to ensure proper brushing technique. And don’t forget the floss! Make this a fun part of your child’s day, both when they wake up and before bedtime.
Your kids need you to be able to develop strong and healthy teeth. Start young, be consistent, and stay positive so that your kids learn to enjoy taking good care of their teeth.
Check out this article on the dietary components that affect your child’s oral health!