It’s summer already, and children will be back home after their post-pandemic schooling experience. As a parent, this is your time to ensure your kids join back their school cavity-free since poor dental health affects their smiles and confidence.
A child’s capacity to thrive at home and in school is jeopardized if they have an untreated oral disease. The child’s self-esteem and social development can have a negative impact if tooth decay remains untreated.
But, you can do away with these if you get good dental care for your child. As a parent, you need to teach your kids healthy habits and follow them yourself.
Your child’s best defence against future dental problems is an oral hygiene routine. The sooner you teach your child how to take care of their teeth, the better. And a summer vacation can be a good starting point
Also Read: Why should you take your child to the dentist regularly?
Provide Healthy Snacks
Many people go for an ice cream cone or a fizzy beverage to beat the heat. Reducing your child’s intake of sugary snacks and beverages is a good way to keep their teeth healthy. In the mouth, sugar and bacteria combine to generate plaque, which coats teeth and inevitably leads to tooth decay.
Eating a balanced diet is essential for maintaining excellent oral health. Your child’s teeth will thank you if you feed them foods beneficial for their overall health.
Here are some suggestions for encouraging your kid to eat healthfully:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables with hummus, string cheese, yogurt, whole-grain crackers, and plain almonds are all good choices for those with sensitive teeth.
- Provide easy access to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and nutritious snacks.
- Use ready-made bags for fruits and veggies and keep them in an accessible snack cabinet.
- In a dish on the counter, keep the fruit that has been washed.
Allow your youngster to assist you with dinner preparation, including shopping for ingredients and preparing the food. Food prepared by children seems to be more palatable to them.
Keep in mind to pack nutritious snacks for when you’re out and about.
Let Them Watch You
Children learn by seeing and imitating their parents. If your kids witness you cleaning and flossing your teeth every day, they’ll want to do the same and follow suit. Your kids will learn about good dental practices if they witness you brush twice a day for at least two minutes and floss once a day.
Then let them attempt it for themselves once you’ve shown them how to do it. So as not to miss any spots, it is a good idea to follow your child’s brushing routine and ensure that all the surfaces have been well cleansed. Your kid should be able to brush their teeth on their own by the time they are 8 years old and no longer need your help.
Additionally, you should explain to your children why dental care is crucial to you and your everyday routines. Then explain to them why brushing and flossing their teeth should be a part of their daily practice so that they may maintain a beautiful smile. This will help to instil lifelong healthy oral practices in children.
Let Them Brush Themselves (With Supervision)
When kids turn two, it’s time for them to take charge of their own lives. Of course, you’ll have to keep an eye on them 24 hours a day for the first several years. After they’ve done it once, you may wish to perform their teeth brushing for them. You should clean your teeth twice daily for two minutes each time. Make cleaning your child’s teeth fun if he or she is reluctant at this early age. Brush their teeth as though you’re searching for hidden gems.
Follow a Brushing and Flossing Schedule
It is much simpler to remember to clean and floss your teeth every day during the school year since there are so many rituals. Despite the fact that summer timetables tend to be more lenient, it is still necessary to maintain a regular plan. Cavities and periodontal disease may be caused by poor dental hygiene. Whether your kid is going on a trip, spending time with family and friends, or simply spending the day at home, make sure he or she is brushing and flossing regularly.
To keep your child’s mouth and teeth clean, have him or her brush and floss twice a day, if not more. A basic list of duties, such as making the bed and putting away the laundry, may also include brushing and flossing. You may make a dental care calendar for younger children, and for older children, you can assist them in scheduling phone reminders.
Dental Checkups
The doctor will inspect your child’s teeth and gums at routine well-child checkups to verify their health. A general dentist interested in children’s dental care may recommend your kid to a pediatric dentist (pedodontist). American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggest that children visit a pediatric dentist and establish a “dental home” before the age of one year.
As part of her dental checkup, the dentist will ensure that all of her teeth are growing properly and that she doesn’t have any dental problems. He or she will also give you more tips on how to take care of your teeth. She may also use a fluoride solution on the outside of the mouth to protect against cavities even more. If you live where the water does not have fluoride added to it, she may give your toddler fluoride drops or tablets that can be chewed. Talk to your child’s pediatrician if you want to learn more about fluoride supplements.
Also Read: Common Questions About Braces Answered – A Kid’s Perspective
About Your Child’s First Dental Visit
As soon as your child gets his or her first tooth, it’s time to make an appointment at the dentist. Ideally, a child should go to the dentist for the first time no later than their first birthday or six months after their first tooth comes in. Don’t wait until they start school or something goes wrong. Get your child used to good oral health habits right away.
Even though the main goal of the first visit is for the dentist to check your child’s growth and development and look in his or her mouth, it’s also important that your child feels at ease. For the visit to be a good one:
- Decide on a time when youngsters are more refreshed and willing to cooperate with their parents early in the day.
- Don’t talk about your worries or anxieties with anybody else.
- Remember that children can sense your moods, so always focus on the good.
- A dental appointment should never be used as a punishment or threat.
- Your youngster should not be bribed.
- Discuss the need for regular dental check-ups with your kid.
During this visit, you can expect the dentist to
- Take a look at your mouth to see any signs of damage or decay.
- Identify if your kid is at risk for dental decay.
- Make sure your child’s teeth are clean and teach them how to brush and floss.
- Bring up teething, pacifier usage, or thumb/finger sucking topics.
- Make an appointment for a follow-up visit, if necessary.
Visit The Port Dental Clinic in Calgary and consult our pediatric dentists to help you with your children’s dental needs.
Make an appointment with us right away by contacting us.
Call: +1.403.345.1110
Email: info@theportdental.ca
