How To Care For Your Child’s Teeth

Teaching your child about the importance of good dental care is key in preventing cavities, gum disease and other dental issues. You should make sure that your child knows how to properly clean their teeth from an early age in order to help ensure that they have healthy teeth in later life. With this in mind, here are some useful tips on how to care for your child’s teeth.

Look after your child’s baby teeth

It is a common misconception that cavities and damage to baby teeth are not an issue as these teeth fall out and are replaced by adult teeth anyway. However, the problem with this is that it encourages children to develop poor dental habits which may lead to dental issues in later life. For that reason, it’s important that you teach your child how to care for their baby teeth and ensure that they get into a good dental routine which includes brushing their teeth twice a day, using mouthwash, and flossing.

It is also important to take your child to a childrens dentist for regular checkups from a young age. Most dental experts recommend that you take your child for their first dental visit by 12 months, or within 6 months of their first tooth appearing.

Teach a good dental routine

The best way to look after your child’s teeth is by getting them into a good dental routine from a young age. It’s important to keep in mind that young children and even babies can develop tooth decay. According to KidsHealth – “Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle can harm the baby’s teeth as sugars from juice or milk eat away at the enamel, leading to a condition known as bottle mouth.” When your child is old enough to brush their own teeth, make sure you teach them the correct technique and check that they’re cleaning their teeth properly.

You should encourage your child to clean their teeth twice a day for at least two minutes and also to use other dental products like mouthwash and dental floss to further improve their dental hygiene. Keep in mind that many studies have found that children who are taught good dental habits typically have better oral hygiene and fewer dental problems in later life.

Follow a healthy diet

Remember that your diet plays a key role in your dental health. Eating foods and drinks high in sugar can lead to cavities, tooth decay and gum disease, so it’s important that you make your child aware of the negative effects that too much sugar can have on their teeth. Try to limit the amount of sugary snacks in the house and encourage your family to stick to a healthy diet. It’s important to be aware that sugar-free drinks and fruit juice may appear to be a healthy alternative, but these can cause erosion to teeth over time due to high levels of acidity. It’s therefore best to stick to water and only drink these occasionally.

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