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Your child’s oral health is just as important as their wellbeing. Children with good oral habits are more likely to continue them through adulthood. With that, they’ll likely experience fewer dental problems as they grow older. At the same time, excellent oral hygiene can help boost confidence and self-esteem that’s important in becoming productive adults.
When you consider all of these, it becomes obvious that teaching your children to value and care for their oral health is vital to their growth. Here are some tips to help show them its worth:
Start Brushing and Flossing
You can start your child’s oral healthcare even before they get their first tooth. After every feeding, wipe their gums using a soft cloth or a baby toothbrush. When the first tooth comes out, you can start using non-fluoridated toothpaste to brush your child’s teeth.
You can switch to a toothpaste with fluoride when the child is old enough to spit out the toothpaste. At this point, you can start teaching your child how to brush their teeth properly. Make sure that they brush their teeth for at least two minutes each time. Introduce flossing at around 7 to 8 years old and teach them to do it at least once a day.
Use Fluoride
As your child develops, he or she will need fluoride to help reduce cavities in their primary teeth. Fluoride can also help make the teeth stronger by hardening the tooth enamel. You can get fluoride from drinking water.
If you don’t have access to water with fluoride, you can get an oral fluoride supplement. If you’re giving fluoride through toothpaste or mouthwash, make sure that your child does not swallow the product. Once your child starts going to the dentist, he or she will get fluoride treatment as well.
Keep in mind that fluoride must be taken in moderation because too much of it can cause tooth stains and cause harm to your child’s health.
Make It Non-Negotiable
Children who attend school may already know how to worm out of routines, which usually includes brushing their teeth. Avoid this by making it a non-negotiable task in their daily routine, and be a part of it as well. You can join your child in the bathroom while they’re brushing their teeth. Take a couple of minutes every day, in the morning and at night, to supervise your child’s oral care habits.
When you make oral hygiene a non-negotiable part of your child’s daily routine, they will start to value its importance. Over time, you won’t have to tell them what to do anymore.
Ensure a Healthy Diet
There’s no better time to focus on your child’s diet than now. Ensure that your child is eating well by packing their lunches with nutritious foods. Limit their intake of junk foods. A healthy diet will deliver essential nutrients to your child’s body that is essential to his or her growth. When it comes to their dental health, healthy foods can help provide the necessary nutrients that can help them fight tooth decay and gum disease.
Conclusion
Oral hygiene is vital to your child’s health, therefore, you should not neglect it. Start as early as now and teach your children proper oral hygiene using these tips. Get extra help and care by choosing the right children’s dentist to guide your child.
If you’re looking for a reputable children’s dentist in Ypsilanti, check out Dental House, MI. We help care for your child’s oral health. Book an appointment now to get 25% off on dental services.
