How To Keep Your Child’s Teeth Healthy

As a parent, you have a lot to think about. Not only do you have to worry about your own health, but you are also constantly thinking about your child’s health and the ways in which they could be healthier. It is a parent’s job to teach their child proper oral hygiene and ensure that they are given the information, skills and tools they need to take care of their teeth, gums and mouth for the rest of their lives. However, when they are young, they cannot be completely responsible for their own oral health and this is where you also need to play a role. Here are a few tips for keeping your child’s teeth healthy.

Make Dental Hygiene Fun

You don’t want your child to see brushing their teeth as a chore, you want to be able to make the process fun and exciting to them. Involve them by letting them choose their own toothbrush and allowing them to pick out one that appeals to them. These days, you can get children-friendly toothbrushes in a range of colours, featuring different characters and animals features. As well as this, you can let them pick out a toothpaste. Being involved in this part will help to get them excited about brushing their teeth each morning and night. To ensure that they brush their teeth for as long as they should, play a song or audiobook while they are brushing or do something entertaining that holds their attention for at least two minutes. If they are well-behaved and enthusiastic about their oral health, reward their behaviour. However, try not to reward them with chocolate or a sugary snack, but instead allow them to watch their favourite movie or have a friend over.

Know What Care Is Needed At Different Ages

As your child grows, their dental needs change. Regardless of how young your child is, you still need to be conscious of their oral health – even when they don’t have any teeth! When your baby does not yet have teeth, you can still care for their mouth by making sure to wipe their gums with a damp cloth to remove bacteria and food particles. When their teeth do start to grow, use a very small amount of toothpaste on a damp cloth and wipe their teeth this way. With toddlers, you can start teaching them to brush their own teeth with supervision while making sure to check that they have properly brushed them afterwards. As soon as your child as two teeth side by side you can start helping them to floss or flossing their teeth for them. From about age 10, kids can usually floss by themselves.

Ensure A Teeth-Friendly Diet

What we put in our mouth affects our oral health just as much as brushing and flossing do. You want to prevent cavities and other dental problems in your kids and in order to do this, you need to ensure that they are avoiding sugary and starchy food and drinks. Instead, you want to encourage a healthy, nutritious and nourishing diet that is going to provide them with all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that they need. Limit their intake of sugary treats, soft drinks, fruit juice, lollies and chocolate. When they do have these foods, make sure to encourage them to brush their teeth or rinse their mouth afterwards to prevent a build-up of plaque.

Organise Regular Dental Visits

You should schedule regular appointments with your dentist for your child from when they are as young as a year old. Starting early helps to normalise the experience of going to the dentist for your child and ensures that any oral health problems are found early. Visiting the dentist and having a better understanding of dental hygiene and what it entails can help your child to become better equipped at looking after their teeth and being aware of any pain or irritation in their mouth. It also means that the dentist can discuss proper brushing and flossing techniques with you both. It is essential to see your dentist as soon as possible if your child has tooth pain or any type of oral infection. If your child loses a permanent tooth, take them to a hospital or a dentist straight away as they may be able to reattach it.

Keeping your children’s teeth healthy is a process that is always changing as they get older and have more responsibility. By starting young, you can make sure they develop good habits and understand the importance of dental hygiene.

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