Essential Dos And Don'ts Of Preventive Dental Care For Kids

Preventive dentistry is an essential part of long-term dental care for your children. It refers to all those things you and your kids do for their teeth each day, week, and year to keep them healthy. It also includes regular help from your dentist. Consider these dos and don'ts of preventative dental care to help your children take excellent care of their teeth.

Take your children to the dentist for regular cleanings at least twice per year. Your dentist may recommend coming on a different time frame depending on the needs of your kids. Be sure to follow a regular schedule for cleanings and talk to your kids about the importance of regular dental exams and cleanings.

A professional dental cleaning can ultimately prevent cavities, which can help set children up for better dental health as they get permanent teeth. It can also brighten their smile. You may also save money when you take your children in for regular cleanings since preventive care is significantly less expensive than fillings for cavities and other more complex treatments.

Yes, fruit juices can be a part of a healthy, balanced diet for toddlers, school-aged children, and teens. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that it should not be given to children under the age of one. However, older kids can enjoy it. Just don't give them too much sugar-laden fruit juice.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, you should only put water in sippy cups. Sippy cups offer a great convenience for parents since they prevent spills, but it's important to keep sugary drinks out of them. Because sipping on sugar-filled drinks over a long period of time exposes the teeth to a greater risk of decay, water is a wiser alternative.

Encourage your little ones to embrace a comprehensive daily dental care routine. You may even choose to follow your own oral health care routine when they do, so it becomes a family affair. The foundation of a good daily dental care plan is properly brushing one's teeth twice each day.

Ensure that your children brush their teeth two times every day. You may choose to have them brush first thing in the morning and just before bedtime. Choose times that fit in well with your family's schedule. When brushing becomes a regular habit, it will be easier to follow. The key is to make it as simple as easy as possible for your children to establish and maintain good habits.

Supervise your children when they are brushing their teeth, too. Mouth Healthy by the American Dental Association advises that one should hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums when brushing. Also, be sure that kids use a soft-bristle toothbrush and move the toothbrush over their teeth with short strokes.

Yes, it is extremely important for your children to brush their teeth twice each day, but that cannot be the only thing they do for their teeth. It's not enough. You also need to accentuate the importance of flossing and swishing with kid-friendly mouthwash. If in doubt, ask your dentist for recommendations for mouthwashes that will suit the unique needs of your children.

Supervise your children each day while they floss their teeth. The American Dental Hygienists' Association recommends that floss be held between the thumbs and index fingers when flossing. Show children how to guide floss gently between teeth in a zig-zag pattern. Ensure that they slide floss up and down across the surface of each tooth.

Finally, keep in mind that your dentist serves as a great ally in protecting your kids' dental health. After all, important parts of preventive care happen at the dentist's office. If you are seeking a dentist for you kids in the Goldsboro area, P.A. Daniel Jr., D.D.S. offers comprehensive oral health care services for every member of your family.