Preschool Dental Care
As adults, we all know the importance of keeping a healthy set of teeth and gums. Too many parents, however, overlook the importance of teaching children to get into a good habit of oral care from their youngest years. The toddler and preschool years are the times when kids develop lifelong habits that can make or break them as they get older. It is vital that they learn the right routines to keep their teeth and gums healthy. Learn some tips for helping your child engage in good preschool dental care to ensure they develop habits that will last the rest of their lives.
Preschool Dental Care
By the age of three, your child should have a full mouth of teeth. Yes, they will eventually lose these teeth for their adult ones, but now is the perfect time to teach them good skills and habits.
There are many things you can do to help your child develop good preschool dental care habits. Many of these habits go beyond brushing and flossing and extend to a healthy diet, which not only keeps their teeth strong but is great for their whole-body wellness as well! Some dietary tips for good tooth and gum health in kids may even surprise you.
Dietary Tips
After each meal and snack, have your child drink water. This helps to rinse the mouth of food particles between brushing and flossing. Sugar, we all know, is bad for teeth, but do you know why? It goes beyond it just being sticky and building bacteria. It also produces acid that wears down your teeth. Having your child snack on things like cheese will produce an alkalinity in their saliva that helps to break down the acids.
Brushing and Flossing
See if you can find a toothpaste with a flavor that your child likes. This will encourage them to brush more frequently. Make sure that there is a fluoride content in the toothpaste, which will strengthen the enamel on their teeth. You’ll find that once they get the hang of it, kids want to brush on their own. You should still hang around to make sure they’re getting it right and show them where they need work.
One fun tip is to get special tablets which will color any areas of plaque on the teeth, showing the child exactly where the problem areas are. As they brush away the color, they’ll know they’re winning the battle against plaque!
Regular Dentist Visits
Regular dentist visits are just as essential for kids as they are for adults. In fact, they may even be more essential. Even though your child will lose their baby teeth eventually, this is the time to get them used to the trips, make going to the dentist a fun part of their routine and prevent a fear of dental visits that plagues many adults.
If you’re ready to start your child off on a great oral health routine, check out some info about our office, and give us a call for an appointment today!
