How To Make Sure Your Kids Teeth Stay HealthyBeing a parent is no easy task, especially when it comes to keeping your kids fit and healthy. The problem is that kids love sweet things – whether it’s sweets or chocolate, they will most probably be taking in a high amount of sugar, which could have a negative impact on their teeth if not taken care of properly.
Want to keep your kids teeth healthy and strong? Here are a few handy tips that you might want to take not of.
Brush their teeth – or teach them how to
Regardless of how little your kids are, it’s still important to take dental hygiene seriously.
Even as a newborn babies can still get bacteria in their mouths which can lead to gum disease. So even though there are no teeth yet it is a good idea just to wipe over their gums with a clean, damp cloth to take away any bacteria and stop any gum disease from developing.
Once their teeth come through then you need to make sure that you start brushing them, following the guidance of your dentist, of course.
Once your child gets to an age where they are old enough to brush their own teeth, it’s important that you encourage them to do so at least two times a day – morning and night – to stop any decay occuring.
It is best to supervise them while brushing up till around eight-years-old to make sure they are doing it correctly and also to ensure they are not swallowing the toothpaste as too much fluoride will cause teeth to discolor.
Take Them To The Dentist
Taking your kids to the dentist can be stressful at times. But it’s something that needs to be done, which is why it’s vital that you don’t skip this important step. It is recommended that they go before their first birthday. This is so they can have a brief examination and also so the dentist can make sure you are aware of the correct technique to brush your child’s teeth.
Taking them for checkups from a young age, will also ensure that they are not scared of the dentist and don’t develop dental phobia – a common problem in a higher percentage of adults and children alike.
When choosing your dentist try and opt for a child-friendly dentist, to ensure that they are good at dealing with children’s behaviour, and have specialised in children’s dentistry. If you are struggling to find a dentist then just Google ‘local dentist’ and you should be able to find some of the nearest dental practices to you.
Prevent Decay
Preventing decay is easier said than done, however, if you take dental care seriously it is possible to prevent decay. The key is making sure that your little ones brush their teeth twice a day, and limit sugar. Any sugar that is left on the enamel overnight can weaken teeth and lead to decay.
Preventing decay by keeping your kids away from sugar isn’t easy – sugar is everywhere, from foods and drinks to medicines. There are steps that you can take to reduce your child’s sugar intake. Here are some ideas: Buying sugar-free and preparing the food that you give them yourself.
Flouride is a crucial tool when it comes to keeping your child’s teeth strong and the enamel intact. It ensures that they have the protection that their teeth need to stay healthy and strong. There are a large amount of flouride-free toothpastes available today, many people opt to buy these thinking they are healthier. However for healthy teeth, especially younger children, flouride is crucial, and enough flouride will result in decay.
Keeping your kids’ teeth healthy is, admitedly, no easy task. However, the fact is that if you are smart about the habits on dental care. You can help to ensure that their teeth stay happy and healthy. It’s not always easy, especially when kids are small. Hopefully the tips and advice above will help to make the process a little simpler and less stressful.