Tips from the Dentist for Maintaining Good Oral Health in Children

It has been observed that one out of 10 children already have a cavity at the age of 2. The statistics increase to 28% by the age of 3 and by the age of 5, almost 50% of the children suffer from the cavity. Many people believe that it is not important to treat cavity in baby teeth because they will fall out anyway. However, that is not true. You need to keep even the baby teeth healthy as decay in baby teeth can harm adult teeth.

It is important to teach your children the significance of maintaining good oral hygiene and following habits that are good for your dental health. Kids love all those things that can harm their dental health such as candies, gummies, chips, etc. and they love to avoid brushing their teeth. As parents, it is your responsibility to take care of your child’s dental health and make sure that they don’t end up compromising on their oral health. Let’s have a look at some suggestions from the dentist that will help your child in enjoying good oral health.

Brushing and Flossing

One of the first things you need to teach your children is brushing regularly. When the kids are young, you must brush their teeth and as they grow up you must supervise them while they brush their teeth. Your kids must brush their teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes.

Ask them to hold the brush at 45-degree angle and make gentle circular stroked while brushing, says the kid’s dentist. You can make brushing a family ritual by brushing along with kids so that they can mimic you. You can take your child to the grocery store and allow them to choose a brush on their own so that they look forward to brushing.

You must also teach your child the importance of flossing and teach them the correct way, explains the pediatric dentist near you. You can also take your child to the pediatric dentist so that they can teach the right way of flossing to kids and the risk of injury can be avoided.

Say No to Sweets

According to the Pediatric Dentist in Pearland, TX, consuming excessive sugary items such as candies, chocolates, gummies, and juices are not good for oral health. The sugar is consumed by bacteria, which further produce acid and weaken the enamel leading to cavities. You can’t stop your kids from having them all together as it will result in them behaving fussy and oppose you. But you can certainly try to limit the consumption of these items by introducing your kids to healthier options.

Healthy Diet

A healthy diet not only helps your body but also your oral health, says the Pearland Pediatric Dentistry. A healthy diet consists of fresh vegetables and fruits along with drinking enough water and keeping yourself hydrated. You can have seasonal fruits and vegetables, especially carrots, apples, cucumbers, etc. They help in keeping your mouth clean and free from food debris and plaque.

Right Amount of Toothpaste

When your kids reach the age of 3, you can begin using a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste, which helps in preventing cavity. If your child doesn’t like the taste of toothpaste, you can try another flavor. Kids are too young to rinse and spit and they may swallow the toothpaste. Thus, teach them how to rinse and spit the toothpaste. Excessive exposure to fluoride toothpaste can cause white or brown spots on the child’s adult teeth.

Regular Dental Appointment

Apart from all the above-mentioned tips, it is important to take your child to the dentist right from a young age. The right time to see the dentist is when your child gets his/ her first teeth. When you take your child to the dentist from a young age, they will become familiar with the dentist, his clinic, and sitting in the dental chair. This will make them less anxious or scared of the dental appointments. The dentist will examine the oral health of your child and suggest any treatment if required for maintaining your child’s oral health.