Dentistry is among the 10 most ethical and trusted professions in the United States. Good oral hygiene, along with professional treatment from a dentist, is essentially what any child needs to prevent tooth decay. Experts recommend that you should take your child to visit a dentist six months after their first tooth erupts. But apart from visiting a pediatric dentist regularly, it is important to impart good oral hygiene practices on your child from a young age. Keep reading to understand four key habits you can follow to keep your child’s teeth healthy.
As soon as your child shows signs of their first tooth, child dentists recommend that you should help them brush two times a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushes are designed to address different needs of children based on their age. Ask your dentist to advise you on the best toothbrush for your child.
Children are known to be a bit reluctant when it comes to healthy habits — from eating their vegetables to brushing their teeth on a regular basis. A good way to ensure that they clean their teeth the right way is brushing together with them. Every night before bed, brush your teeth as a family. As such, your kids will easily adopt the habit.
It might be challenging to know whether the best brushing motion is back and forth, up and down, or going around in circles. Experts in dentistry for children say that the brushing motion does not matter. The most important thing is that your child cleans their teeth thoroughly.
Some kids will only clean their front teeth and forget the ones at the back. It is, therefore, important that you supervise your child as they brush their teeth to ensure that all are cleaned well. Be sure to use gentle motions and to set a timer for two minutes to ensure proper care.
You could be brushing your child’s teeth every day, but if their diet is mainly comprised of sugar, dental cavities may be inevitable. Foods with sticky sugar—like gum or dried fruit—could cause serious damage to your child’s teeth. If your child eats a sugary snack, ensure that they brush their teeth after. You should also lower their consumption of fruit juices and other sugary drinks.
You cannot completely eliminate sugary foods from your child’s diet. However, you can minimize it. Remind your child that eating too much sugar is harmful to their oral hygiene. They will understand why they are not allowed to eat too much sugar.
Dentistry for children should be a key investment for parents. The American Academy of Dentistry for Children recommends that all children should see a dentist by the time they turn one. Look for a fun kids dentist for your child before their first tooth erupts. After the first visit, it is important that you take your child to see a dentist every six months.
During these visits, the pediatric dentist will ensure that all the teeth are developing normally. Should there be a dental problem, it will be identified early and a solution will, therefore, be found sooner.
Dentistry for children will go a long way in ensuring that your child’s teeth are strong and healthy. Contact us today if you are looking for an experienced and reliable dentist near Silver Spring MD.
