Tips For Protecting Your Child's Teeth

For those that have children, you must understand the importance of dental health. Your child shouldn't have to go through a dental problem, especially if it can easily be avoided. These tips will help you take some extra steps to protect your child's teeth.

Go To The Dentist Early

A mistake that can be made by parents is thinking it is too early for a child to see a dentist. The truth is that they can start going to the dentist as soon as their first teeth start coming in. Once they become a toddler, dental checkups will be crucial to ensure that their teeth are clean, especially when they are too young to do quality brushing on their own. Never assume it's too early for a trip to the dentist.

Get Dental Sealants

Once your child's adult molars grow in, usually around when they turn 6, they'll be getting a lot of use. Tooth decay has a higher chance of developing in these teeth due to food that is not properly brushed away. A dental sealant can be applied to the molars to give them extra protection. Sealants cannot be applied to teeth that have a cavity already, so you are better if having this done soon after those adult molars come in.

Rinse With Water

Saliva is the body's natural way of washing the bacteria off the teeth. Unfortunately, the mouth can become dry throughout the day, which makes the mouth a breeding ground for bacteria. Have your child drink more water throughout the day, and even rinse their mouth with water after meals. Staying hydrated is not only crucial for a healthy body, but a healthy mouth as well.

Eat Healthy Foods

Children snack throughout the day, but unhealthy snacks can cause damage to their teeth. Try to limit how many sticky or sweet snacks your child consumes. Having them snack on carrots or celery are naturally abrasive, and actually help remove plaque that has built up on the teeth during the day.

Establish A Brushing Routine

Sending a child off to brush their teeth before bed may not be effective if they are not doing it properly. Be sure to establish a routine so that they do a good job. For instance, use a timer that ensures they don't stop brushing too early, and demonstrate all the quadrants of the mouth that they should be getting. Some electronic toothbrushes even have timers that tell them when to switch parts of the mouth.