Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 50% of six-to eight-year-olds have had a cavity in at least one primary tooth. More than half of 12-to 19-year-olds experienced the same in at least one permanent tooth.
Cavities can be painful if left untreated. They can also lead to infection, tooth loss, and other serious problems.
Infections caused by cavities can spread to other parts of the body. Other complications include damage to the alignment of permanent teeth and difficulty chewing, speaking, and concentrating.
Establishing good oral health habits early in childhood can help prevent this and set the foundation for lifelong dental health. You play an important role in teaching your children the fundamentals they need to practice proper dental care.
Here are a few kids’ dentist tips you can follow to ensure they maintain a comprehensive oral care routine. Partnering with a reputable kids’ dentist in Georgetown also helps as they can provide preventive care to protect your child’s smile.
The Importance of Early Dental Care
Starting dental care at a young age establishes good oral hygiene habits. It also allows for early detection and prevention of dental issues. Early dental visits help children become comfortable and can set the foundation for positive dental experiences throughout their lives.
Teething milestones vary for every child, but according to John Hopkins Medicine, a baby’s first tooth can emerge between 3 months and 3 years old. You should schedule your child’s first kids’ dentist visit by their first birthday if at least one tooth has erupted.
Kids’ Dentist Tips for a Healthy Smile
Your child’s dental routine should start long before any teeth emerge and involves gently cleaning their gums with a soft, damp washcloth after each feeding. Brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush can begin when their first tooth appears.
Even at such a young age, this prepares them for their future oral hygiene routines. It sets the tone to help your child develop a healthy smile routine and will make implementing these tips easier:
Practice Proper Brushing Basics
Once you’ve found a kids’ dentist in Georgetown that you’re comfortable with, ask them what brushing technique is best for your child. Some dentists recommend having your child brush their teeth with “help” from you to ensure they:
- Brush twice a day for two minutes
- Use a soft toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste, if under 3 years old
- Use a pea-sized amount if 3 years or older
You should also ensure they spit out the toothpaste after brushing.
Learn Flossing Fundamentals
Unfortunately, toothbrushes can’t reach the tight spaces between teeth. Flossing is crucial for removing food particles and plaque in these hard-to-reach areas. It can prevent tooth decay and gum disease by disrupting the bacteria and plaque buildup.
Once your child’s teeth start touching, introduce flossing into their daily routine. Children can usually brush and floss independently by the time they’re 10 years old.
Make Dental Care Fun
Routines can often become boring due to repetitiveness but that doesn’t have to be the case with brushing. You can make dental care enjoyable for your child by incorporating the following:
- Letting them choose a character-themed or colorful toothbrush
- Changing toothpaste flavors
- Playing a song
- Using apps that gamify brushing
Praising and rewarding good dental habits also helps.
Encourage Healthy Eating Habits
A balanced diet provides essential nutrients vital for building and maintaining strong enamel. It also helps prevent cavities, supports gum health, and protects against tooth decay and gum disease.
Encourage your children to eat healthy snack options like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. However, avoid sending young kids to bed with milk or juice bottles.
Limit sugary snacks and beverages as they fuel bacteria in the mouth, which can lead to tooth decay. Instead, encourage them to drink water as it helps wash away food and sugar.
Lead by Example
Children are more likely to eat a balanced diet if they see you doing the same, as they often mimic their parent’s behavior. The same is true when maintaining their oral hygiene. If your child sees you caring for your teeth, they are more likely to adopt good oral hygiene habits.
You can reinforce this by making brushing and flossing a family activity.
Schedule Regular Dental Check-ups
Kids’ dental health is usually a team effort that extends beyond the family circle. Finding a pediatric dentist your child trusts helps make your child less anxious about dental checkups.
Regular dental check-ups help detect potential dental issues early. They facilitate prompt treatment and reduce complications that can result if left untreated. They also provide opportunities for preventive pediatric dental care including:
- Professional cleaning to remove tartar buildup
- Personalized oral hygiene advice
- Overall assessment of kids’ dental health
You should schedule check-ups with a pediatric dentist twice a year to ensure your child is meeting dental milestones including proper tooth growth without any underlying issues.
Protect their Teeth While Doing Daily Activities
Some children start playing contact or high-velocity sports as early as preschool. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using mouthguards to reduce oral injury when participating in these activities.
Is your child active in sports? Consider using a custom-fitted mouthguard to protect their teeth from potential injuries.
You can also protect them from cavities with dental sealants. They are thin, protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Sealants are painless and can last for years.
Partner with a Caring Kids’ Dentist in Georgetown
Proper dental care is key to reducing tooth decay, the most common childhood disease in the US. It starts with establishing an oral hygiene routine for your kids.
The kids’ dentist tips outlined above are a great way to ensure you maintain your child’s healthy smile. It also helps to find a kids’ dentist in Georgetown that your child trusts so that their dental check-ups are anxiety-free.
Pediatric Dentistry of Hamburg partners with parents to help motivate and teach their children proper oral health habits. We provide high-quality dental care in a welcoming, compassionate environment that helps reduce anxiety often associated with dental visits. Contact us today to make your kids’ smiles healthy and bright.
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