Preventive dental care means stopping problems before they start, saving you time, money, and your child’s discomfort. Make these things part of your family dental care and you’ll be able to celebrate no cavities at every visit.
Healthy Food = A Healthy Smile
Everyone loves a sweet treat once in a while, but too much too often doesn’t only hurt your body, it also affects your teeth. Too much sugar can lead to tooth erosion and decay.
Instead, find healthy alternatives. Try water or milk instead of juice for a quick and easy swap.
Brush and Floss
Brushing and flossing are vital keys to dental health. Make sure your child is brushing twice a day and flossing before bed. Older kids can do this on their own, but younger (under age 7 or so) need a little help.
Your dentist will reinforce the healthy habits you teach your little ones and teach them the importance of proper care.
Cavity Prevention
Aside from regular brushing and flossing, there are some additional steps you can take to keep your children’s teeth healthy and whole.
A regular fluoride rinse will help strengthen teeth; Have your children rinse nightly before bed. Your dentist can also do a fluoride treatment at each visit.
The dentist can also apply a sealant to the back teeth. This acts as a barrier between the enamel and tooth-eating bacteria.
Sports Protection
On the soccer field, she wears shin guards; On the football field, he wears a helmet. This kind of protective equipment is a given, but we often forget about dental protection.
To protect your children from dental injuries during their extra-curricular activities, they should be using an athletic mouth guard. Aside from preventing dental injuries, they can also reduce the severity of concussions.
The ADA suggests a mouth guard if your child is involved in any of these activities:
- Football
- Basketball
- Hockey
- Boxing
- Rugby
- Cycling
- Weightlifting
- Gymnastics
Regular Dentist Visits
An important part of your child’s dental care is regular visits with your pediatric dentist. Their first appointment should be done by their first birthday, with regular check-ups every 6 months.
Preventive care doesn’t have to be time-consuming and overwhelming. With a few simple daily practices and regular dentist visits, you can keep your child’s teeth healthy and teach them good lifelong habits.