Four Ways To Keep Your Child's Teeth Healthy

Your children’s oral health is easy to be overlooked, because most of the time, it doesn’t present significant problems. However, you should not forget the importance of dental health especially for children. Before it’s too late, start investing more in your child’s oral health so that they will have beautiful smiles and healthy teeth as they grow. Read on to find out four ways to keep your child's teeth healthy.

Keep in mind that oral health isn’t just about the teeth, but it’s also about the lips, and gums, among others. Because of this, it’s advisable to take your children on routine dental visits every six to twelve months. By doing so, they will keep their oral health in check and at the same time, they get more used to being around a dentist.

As the adage often goes, good habits begin at home. If you want your child to have healthy teeth, you have to set a routine at home. For example, teach them to set a specific time during the day and night for them to brush their teeth. If they do not practice this routine, know that it’s easy for cavities to grow in unclean mouths. We advise having a simple egg timer in the bathroom to time 2 minutes of brushing. The average brushing time for children is 27 seconds!

Know that some foods and drinks can cause cavities to build in your child’s teeth. This is why you need to prevent it early on by preparing healthy meals for them. As much as possible, limit their junk food intake, or totally eliminate it from your home if possible. Keep in mind that what your children consume is essential to their oral health. You may have a good routine at home and consistent dental visits, but if your child is eating junk food, then the former will defeat its purpose. Hidden sugars are everywhere in food. For example, a tin of baked beans contains nearly 20g of sugar! The frequency of sugar intake increases the risk of tooth decay. Minimise the frequency to minimise the risk. Try snacks such as carrot sticks, cucumber, olives, fruit and rice cakes in between meals.

As mentioned, oral health isn’t just about the teeth but about the entire mouth as well. This is why you must not neglect your child’s gums because unhealthy gums can cause decay and damage their teeth. Take time to brush your teeth with your child so that they can copy you. There are plenty of great, inexpensive electric toothbrushes that will be more effective than manual brushing alone. Battery operated ones are fine but we prefer ones that can be charged.

In this article, we have provided you with several ways that will help you keep your child’s oral health in check. It’s important to remember that your children look up to you, so you must show them that you’re taking care of your oral health as well. Be a good example and they will be more eager to follow your footsteps. Remember that having a healthy routine at home and serving them healthy food will make a huge difference to their oral health. Educate them about the importance of oral health and make them feel involved in the process. Also, make sure to choose a dentist that you’re comfortable with and also ones who s good with children. Keeping your child’s oral health in check is doing them a favour for their future. A good set of teeth and good oral health will boost their confidence, which is why this is an investment that you will not regret!

If you are looking to learn more about dental care for your children get in touch with us today to see how we can help.