Why is it so important to take care of your child’s teeth? As many as one in five children may have an untreated dental cavity. One in seven teens might suffer from tooth decay as well. It is easier than you might think to get kids started on the right path when it comes to their teeth. Oral health care begins before teeth even come in and continues for their entire lives. What your child learns now will help determine what their smile will look like when they are twenty or fifty or eighty.
3 Ways to Care for Your Child’s Oral Health
Consider the following three ways you can care for your child’s oral health and reach out to Lovett Dental Jersey Village today.
1. Teach Them Dental Care Rights and Wrongs
It part of your job as a parent to teach your children the right and the wrong way to approach things in life, even oral health. Before that first tooth comes in, get them used to having their gums cleaned. After every bottle, wipe the baby’s gums off with a clean, wet rag. You can even let your little one hold the rag and help.
When their first tooth does come in, brush it at least twice a day using an infant-sized toothbrush but not toothpaste. It will not only keep that one tooth white but will introduce your child to the idea of brushing. You can begin flossing when the second tooth pops up.
As they grow older, go over how to brush and floss correctly with them. If you are unsure, then ask the Lovett Dental Jersey Village dentist to show you both. Also, talk about what products are best, like toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride and approval from the American Dental Association (ADA).
2. Put Limits on Sugar
Kids love pretty much anything sweet, so it’s up to parents to set some boundaries. Sugar works as fuel for bacteria in the mouth. As they digest it, the bacteria produce acid that wears down tooth enamel and creates cavities.
Try to avoid sugary drinks like juices and sodas. Instead, encourage them to drink more water throughout the day.
When it comes time to have dessert, stick with fresh fruits. That will give them something sweet that is also good for them.
Avoid snacks that are sticky, like raisins, honey, or caramel. They tend to stick to tooth enamel, making it difficult for saliva to wash the sugar off. If they have a sticky or sweet snack in the morning or afternoon, have them brush their teeth after they eat.
3. Get Regular Dental Care with Pediatric Dentistry at Lovett Dental Jersey Village
Lovett Dental Jersey Village offers pediatric dentistry specialists training on how to deal with children and their unique dental needs. During a regular visit, the dentist will:
- Perform an exam looking for decay
- Assess the health of your child’s teeth, gums, and jaw
- Do teeth cleanings and treatment when necessary
Your child needs to learn at a young age that going to the dentist is nothing to fear. Lovett Dental Jersey Village is a family dentistry, which means parents can see the dentist in the same place. That will help reassure them that everything is okay.
As your child gets older, they may need to see a specialist like an orthodontist. Since Lovett Dental Jersey Village is a multispecialty practice, you have access to everything you need under one roof, including an orthodontist, a periodontist, a maxillofacial surgeon, and an endodontist.
Book an Appointment for Your Child with Lovett Dental Jersey Village
Now is the time to get your child on the right path for good oral health. Pediatric oral health care is too important to ignore. Give our office at Lovett Dental Jersey Village a call at 281-890-5002 to make an appointment today.
