Regularly visiting a full-service dentist for checkups and cleanings is a necessary part of your child’s healthcare. However, it is also essential to teach your child how they can take care of their teeth properly and effectively for the rest of their life. In this article, we discuss the six most important dental practices to instill in children.
6 Most Important Dental Practices to Instill in Children
Below, we list the most crucial dental habits to teach your child:
Brush Teeth Twice a Day
Brushing teeth twice a day for at least two minutes is the most valuable dental practice for your child to maintain. Food debris and bacteria should be thoroughly cleaned from the teeth to prevent excessive plaque buildup. Plaque is acidic and filled with bacteria. Thus, it destroys the enamel of the teeth over time, leading to cavities and decay. Additionally, plaque can harm the gum tissue and cause periodontal disease.
It is best to use a soft or medium brush so that cleaning along the gumline is not painful. Also, choose a fluoride toothpaste for your child, as it can help reinforce the enamel and make it more resistant to bacteria.
Floss Teeth Every Evening
Flossing is another obligatory step of an effective oral hygiene routine. It helps remove food residue and plaque from between the teeth and prevents it from accumulating in periodontal pockets and causing gum disease and cavities. If your child finds it challenging to use a traditional floss, try a water flosser until they are older. However, remember that a water flosser is most effective as an additional step to traditional flossing and brushing. Your child should floss their teeth every evening.
Protect Teeth from Physical Damage and Trauma
Explain to your child that they should never use their teeth to open bottles, crack nuts, etc., to avoid breaking or chipping their teeth. It is also advisable that your child form a habit of wearing a custom-made mouthguard when playing sports, especially contact ones, as they often result in facial and oral trauma.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Sweets, acidic foods and beverages, and hard, crunchy foods can damage your child’s oral health if consumed regularly. Sugar promotes bacterial growth in the mouth, acid destroys the enamel, and hard foods can physically damage the teeth by chipping or cracking them. Crunchy foods, such as crackers, can also harm the gums, prompting gum irritation and inflammation.
To have healthy teeth, your child should consume foods and drinks rich in vitamins and minerals:
- Products that contain calcium, an element that reinforces the bone structure: cheese, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.
- Leafy greens (also rich in calcium and minerals)
- Apples and pears that naturally clean the teeth and promote salivation to wash the bacteria off
- Green tea reduces inflammation and fights bacteria in the mouth
- Fruits, berries, and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C and boost the immune system to eliminate harmful bacteria
Have Regular Dental Checkups and Professional Cleanings
Regular checkups and professional cleanings are necessary, even for people who maintain impeccable oral hygiene at home. Almost everyone has areas in the mouth that are hard to reach with a toothbrush or floss at home. Plaque accumulates in such areas and turns into tartar over time. Both these substances are leading causes of tooth decay and tooth loss. On top of that, tartar is impossible to remove just by brushing your teeth.
Your dentist can use special dental instruments and techniques to remove plaque and tartar, even from hard-to-reach areas. Fluoride treatments can also be performed as a last step of the cleaning.
Help your child form a habit of seeing a dentist every six months by creating an encouraging and fun atmosphere around the event.
Address Arising Issues Before They Become Severe
Many people tend to put off dental appointments until the pain becomes excruciating. Neglecting dental appointments leads to more serious oral health issues and, subsequently, to more complicated and costly procedures. Please encourage your child not to be afraid of the dentist and to see them as soon as they notice any issues with their oral health.
Ask Questions and Staying Informed
It is important that your child is not afraid to inquire about the procedures they are going to undergo. Teach your child to ask your dentist questions and to stay informed about their issues and the methods of treatment so that they are able to judge a situation once they are old enough to do so.
Make an Appointment Today
Do not hesitate to make an appointment for your child at our family-friendly dental office in La Mirada. We provide a wide range of dental services for you and your kid and will make sure that your family’s oral health is in good hands.