Dentistry5 Dental Tips To Care For Your Child’s Teeth

As adults, we all know the importance of taking care of our teeth so that we can avoid facing dental issues down the road. However, it is equally important that your children look after their teeth, too. Ask your local dentist in Blackburn and they will definitely tell you to make sure that you are paying your child’s oral health the attention it deserves.

Not sure how to help your child care for their teeth? Here are five useful tips to help you maintain your little one’s pearly whites.

Get them started from young

The best way to ensure that your child picks up good dental habits is to get them started from a young age. As a matter of fact, you should start caring for your child’s oral hygiene even when they are just a baby – by cleaning their gums and teeth with a damp washcloth. You can start using a small toothbrush with soft bristles when your child is 1 or 2 years old, although you shouldn’t use toothpaste before the age of 18 months.

When your child gets older, they can progress to brushing their teeth on their own, although it is likely that they will need assistance from you until they are about 7 years old. It is also a good idea to introduce them to the habit of flossing, too.

Make oral hygiene fun

Your child will be a lot more enthusiastic about taking care of their teeth if you make it a fun exercise for them. Come up with creative ideas to make brushing their teeth a rewarding activity, rather than a chore. For example, while your child is brushing their teeth for the required two minutes, keep track of the time by using a novelty kitchen timer or playing their favourite song.

You can also give your child more control over their oral care by letting them choose a toothbrush in their favourite colour, or allowing them to select their preferred flavour of toothpaste.

Educate and inform your child

As much as you want your child to have fun while brushing their teeth, you should let them know that oral hygiene is a serious matter, too. While you shouldn’t resort to scare tactics, your child should understand why they have to take care of their teeth, especially when they grow older. You can start by explaining to them what plaque, cavities, and gum disease are, and why it is important to prevent these dental issues.

If you are not certain how to approach this subject with your child, look up educational videos and books that talk about dental hygiene for children and you can watch or read them together.

Keep an eye on their diet

It is no secret that kids love sugar. But it’s no secret that too much sugar is bad for one’s teeth, either! Try not to let your child have too much soda, sweetened drinks, or sugary snacks. Instead, make sure that they have a balanced diet made up of fresh foods like vegetables, cheese, lean meats, and fluoridated tap water.

Another thing to watch out for is that your child doesn’t eat or drink anything other than water after they have brushed their teeth for the night – so keep an eye out for any cheeky late-night sweets or snacks!

Take them to the dentist regularly

Your children need to visit the dentist regularly, starting from as young as 1 year of age or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing. Bringing your child to the dentist from a young age also lets them get accustomed to the visits early on.

Just like with the other parts of your child’s oral hygiene routine, making dental visits as fun and non-threatening as possible will make them feel much more at ease. It is good practice to schedule regular dental check-ups twice a year, but you should also bring your child to the dentist if any issues such as tooth pain or mouth infection arise.

With these tips in mind, caring for your child’s teeth can be a fun and easy process for both you and your little one!

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