Regular dental checkups are important for everyone to get at least every six months. When it comes to kids, the sooner they start getting dental checkups the better. Dental care for kids keeps their mouths healthier throughout their childhood and well into adulthood.
Early checkups performed by a children’s dentist prevent tooth decay and cavities which lead to trouble concentrating, pain, as well as other types of medical issues. Youngsters learn to speak clearly, chew food easily, and smile brighter with healthy teeth. You want to give your kids every advantage you can. Help them start life with strong teeth. Below are useful tips to help your child learn and maintain dental habits for strong, healthy teeth.
When should you begin establishing good oral hygiene? Pediatric dentists recommend starting when you first notice baby teeth emerging. Yes, those tiny teeth will be replaced eventually. Until then, they need attention to prevent decay.
It is always a good idea to make an appointment with a pediatric dentist to have baby teeth examined for infection. Infected teeth can cause problems with adult teeth later. The problems they can cause a young child early involve not being able to chew or speak well. There may also be pain and swelling which are tough for little ones to understand and handle.
“Brushing” teeth for infants and toddlers isn’t quite the same as it is for older children. Start cleaning baby teeth using water and a soft cloth or a small, soft toothbrush at least twice a day. When your child reaches 18 months, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste that’s low-fluoride. Brush teeth as normal, and here comes the fun part for kids, encourage them to spit the toothpaste out after brushing.
Once adjacent teeth begin to touch, you should introduce flossing. You should handle the flossing. However, it is still imperative to begin teaching the importance of flossing and how to keep from damaging gums. Flossing should be done early in the morning and after their last meal.
Dental care for kids should be fun. Children are inquisitive and active. They also tend to have very short attention spans. Most of the time they would rather be playing than taking time to brush their teeth. It may not be easy to teach them how to properly take care of their teeth. You can start by introducing them to a fun kids dentist.
A pediatric dentist has the necessary dental equipment sized appropriately to fit little mouths. Dental x-rays may need to be taken to get the perfect view of baby and adult teeth to create a dental care plan that grows with your child. Dental care for kids is often geared to make a child’s learning experience fun. It increases the chances of success when it comes to ensuring your child continues to have healthy teeth and gums.
Get your child involved in their own dental care when they show the slightest bit of interest. There are ways you can make the process fun too. Start by letting them choose their very own toothbrush. Having a toothbrush in their favorite color, design, or movie characters will make kids more excited about brushing teeth.
Read books and watch videos about dental hygiene. It’s a great educational experience that pays off. You could also play their favorite 2-minute jingle or song while brushing their teeth. Make taking care of their teeth a favorite activity that they continue throughout their life.
