The 5 Don’ts for Your Kid’s Dental Care
We prioritize the health of our children, following guidelines to help keep the germs at bay. Similarly, taking the oral health of our kids seriously can help prevent tooth decay. By taking note of the 5 don’ts for your kid’s dental care, you can see their smile shine even more!
Don’t Skip Fluoride
An excellent preventative measure against tooth decay is fluoride. It does so by actually strengthening a tooth’s enamel. Finding your children a fluoridated toothpaste is a great start towards fighting cavities. However, exercise care to prevent your child from intaking too much fluoridated toothpaste which could cause fluorosis. All they really need is a smear if they are younger than 3, and a pea size amount on their toothbrush for years 3 to 6, according to Healthline.
Don’t Underestimate the Need to Brush
“The morning was too busy”, “It was a long day, the kids were too tired”- do these sound like familiar lines for reasons we skip brushing teeth? Despite the craziness that each day can bring, especially with little ones, parents need to make tooth brushing a priority. The consequences of poor oral hygiene for kids will only add problems to a busy schedule! It is ideal to brush after each meal, but ensuring their teeth are brushed every morning and night is acceptable.
Don’t Let them Brush Alone
Kids are fast learners and definitely learn from example. Before leaving them to their own devices with the teeth cleaning, brush their teeth and let them see you do it, if possible, in the mirror. When they graduate to doing it on their own, further supervision is still important to make sure they are not missing anything! This is especially recommended for young ones under age 6. Reminding them to spit out instead of swallowing when brushing teeth will serve as a protection.
Don’t do Sticky Sweets
We all know sugary foods are not great for teeth. This is especially true when the sugary foods stick to the teeth in the form of gummy bears, caramels, taffies, and the like, for example. The longer sugars hang on to a tooth, the higher the chances of damage are to that tooth, aka cavities! Although the occasional treat won’t cause instant damage, try to lean more towards healthy options like fruits, to satisfy their sweet tooth. Making sure they brush their teeth after is always a good idea!
Don’t Let them Constantly Sip Juice
This goes along the same lines as sticky sweets- too much sugar on the teeth for too long leads to decay. Many parents think juice is a nutritious drink for the kids. Although it comes from fruit, it contains a high amount of sugar. Go for the water instead and make the juice more for a special treat. When they do have juice or sugary drinks, make sure they at least rinse their mouth with water, if not brush their teeth.
A Kid-Friendly Dental Office
At Oceanside Dental, we love kids! Make sure to schedule an appointment for your child! Having them see a dentist by their first birthday is recommended and can definitely save parents a lot of money in the long run!