How to Care for Kid's Teeth
![Dental Care for Kids](/uploads/2/5/2/2/25225271/5551898.jpg?674)
Like everything else about parenting, starting your kids on the road to good oral health can be challenging. With social lives, friends, after-school activities, and all the great tech gadgets kids have at their disposal these days, caring for their teeth is probably the last thing they want to spend their time doing. Of course, if you child doesn't take the time necessary in caring for his teeth and gums now, chances are he's not going to have much of a social life. Teeth are an important part of our hygiene and how we present ourselves to the world. And that's only one of the reasons it's vital for kids to learn proper dental care for every stage of childhood. Following are answers to common dental questions asked by parents that can help you and your child learn proper routine dental for kids, from toddler years to adulthood.
Brushing
Regular brushing is always the first step to a healthy mouth. The fact is, though, that most people don't do it long enough, even if they're brushing often enough. Teach your child to brush twice daily and to spend enough time at each brushing to get all teeth clean and plaque-free. Teach your child to brush all sides of her teeth, including fronts and backs individually. In the early years, it's helpful to choose a toothbrush that will make it fun for kids to brush. Try to choose toothbrushes that are made especially for little ones, since these often have special designs. As your child grows, you might consider taking her on a trip to the store to pick out her own toothbrush. (Like Kevin McCallister from Home Alone knows, choosing a toothbrush that's approved by the American Dental Association is a good idea.) You can even let her choose her own toothpaste, as long as it has fluoride. And get rid of old toothbrushes at least every four months to replace with new ones.
Flossing
Flossing is also a significant part of optimum dental care for kids because brushing can't get those nasty little food particles out from between teeth. There are flosses that help make flossing easier and more fun for kids, with flavors like cinnamon and bubble gum. It's also important to buy waxed floss that doesn't hurt little gums. Show your child how to wrap the floss around his fingers properly. Or, if it's too hard for him to maneuver regular floss, consider purchasing floss picks or other floss products that are simpler to use. Work on getting your child to floss his teeth at least once daily.
Dental visits
It's a given that regular dental checkups are vital to kids' oral health. Take your child to see your family dentist about every six months to make sure teeth are coming in properly and proper oral health is being maintained. Try to find a dentist who specializes in children's teeth, at all stages of development. That way you won't have to keep switching dentists every couple of years. It's important for your child to feel comfortable with her dentist. Naturally, the more she goes to the same dentist, the less anxious she'll feel about dental checkups.
Diet
A step that some parents don't consider when it comes to oral health is proper nutrition. Foods that are sugary, sticky, gummy, processed, and/or starchy are just plain bad for teeth. They cause bacteria buildup, which leads to plaque forming on teeth and can eventually lead to gum disease. It's not necessary to eliminate these foods altogether, but it is necessary to limit them. Additionally, try getting your kids to eat raw, crunchy vegetables that help to clean teeth.
Following proper routine dental care isn't a suggestion for your kids. It's critical to their social lives, self esteem, future success, and even to their health. Recent studies have shown that dental hygiene may be linked to health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimers, to name just a few. Okay, so your kid likely isn't concerned with heart disease or Alzheimers. But such medical studies are showing that tooth loss before age 35 can be linked to serious health problems, and that's why it's important to get your child on the path to proper routine dental care as early in life as possible.
Brushing
Regular brushing is always the first step to a healthy mouth. The fact is, though, that most people don't do it long enough, even if they're brushing often enough. Teach your child to brush twice daily and to spend enough time at each brushing to get all teeth clean and plaque-free. Teach your child to brush all sides of her teeth, including fronts and backs individually. In the early years, it's helpful to choose a toothbrush that will make it fun for kids to brush. Try to choose toothbrushes that are made especially for little ones, since these often have special designs. As your child grows, you might consider taking her on a trip to the store to pick out her own toothbrush. (Like Kevin McCallister from Home Alone knows, choosing a toothbrush that's approved by the American Dental Association is a good idea.) You can even let her choose her own toothpaste, as long as it has fluoride. And get rid of old toothbrushes at least every four months to replace with new ones.
Flossing
Flossing is also a significant part of optimum dental care for kids because brushing can't get those nasty little food particles out from between teeth. There are flosses that help make flossing easier and more fun for kids, with flavors like cinnamon and bubble gum. It's also important to buy waxed floss that doesn't hurt little gums. Show your child how to wrap the floss around his fingers properly. Or, if it's too hard for him to maneuver regular floss, consider purchasing floss picks or other floss products that are simpler to use. Work on getting your child to floss his teeth at least once daily.
Dental visits
It's a given that regular dental checkups are vital to kids' oral health. Take your child to see your family dentist about every six months to make sure teeth are coming in properly and proper oral health is being maintained. Try to find a dentist who specializes in children's teeth, at all stages of development. That way you won't have to keep switching dentists every couple of years. It's important for your child to feel comfortable with her dentist. Naturally, the more she goes to the same dentist, the less anxious she'll feel about dental checkups.
Diet
A step that some parents don't consider when it comes to oral health is proper nutrition. Foods that are sugary, sticky, gummy, processed, and/or starchy are just plain bad for teeth. They cause bacteria buildup, which leads to plaque forming on teeth and can eventually lead to gum disease. It's not necessary to eliminate these foods altogether, but it is necessary to limit them. Additionally, try getting your kids to eat raw, crunchy vegetables that help to clean teeth.
Following proper routine dental care isn't a suggestion for your kids. It's critical to their social lives, self esteem, future success, and even to their health. Recent studies have shown that dental hygiene may be linked to health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimers, to name just a few. Okay, so your kid likely isn't concerned with heart disease or Alzheimers. But such medical studies are showing that tooth loss before age 35 can be linked to serious health problems, and that's why it's important to get your child on the path to proper routine dental care as early in life as possible.