Kids need to maintain their dental hygiene from an early age. Parents must remember that maintaining dental hygiene is crucial for their child’s overall health. When you instill good dental habits in your children from an early age, you can prevent any gum diseases, keep cavities at bay, and help with other oral health issues. Hence, parents play a significant role in guiding their children towards healthy dental practices that stay with them forever. We understand it might be overwhelming to instil these habits in your children from an early age.
However, this expert advice from dentists can save your child from any future dental diseases. Moreover, you must teach your children the right way to brush and never miss your appointments at paediatric dentist in Singapore. Hence, to prevent dental issues and promote a healthy smile, you should make sure your child follows the recommended steps by the dentist. Let’s get started.
Start Dental Care Early
Dentists across the world recommend brushing your child’s teeth as soon as their first tooth appears. This is during the sixth month of their birth when you should practice brushing their teeth. Remember, the early stages of oral health should be set as early childhood sets in. You can start by gently cleaning your child’s gums with a damp cloth. Then when the first tooth comes out, you can switch to a soft bristle toothbrush. Moreover, use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing fluoride.
Once your child hits the age of one, you should get them used to the practice of brushing regularly (twice a day). Moreover, early visitation to the dentist is also crucial. By the time your child turns one, you should visit the dentist for an oral checkup.
Teach Proper Brushing Techniques
You should teach your child the right way to brush. Most dentists suggest bruising for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste. You should also teach your children the right way to hold the brush. This means holding the brush at a 45-degree angle and gently brushing your teeth in circular motions.
Moreover, you should pay extra attention to the back teeth, which are mostly overlooked. These areas are also prone to cavities. Moreover, you should encourage your child to keep their tongues clean by using tongue cleaning or simply brushing.
This helps in removing any bacteria and giving you fresh breath. You should help and supervise your child when they brush till they have mastered the art. Many children hate the practice of brushing every day. Hence, you can make the activity fun by using flavoured toothpaste and colourful toothbrushes.
Emphasize the Importance of Flossing
Flossing has always been encouraged by dentists as a part of dental hygiene. Flossing eliminates any plaque or food particles stuck in between your teeth. Around the age of two or three, you should make your child practice flossing. You should make them start using a flexible and soft floss that is easy for children to use. Moreover, you should show your children the right way to floss. Teach them to curve the floss in a C-shape, then move it up and down along every tooth. You can make the experience fun by giving them a treat after they floss.
Limit Sugary Snacks and Drinks
Sugary drinks, pastries, and other sugary foods are major contributors to tooth decay. Hence, dentists advise parents to keep their children away from these treats. Sugary beverages like soda, processed fruit juices, and candy can form an acidic environment in your child’s mouth, leading to erosion of their tooth enamel. Hence, you should focus on your child’s diet and encourage healthy food.
Schedule Regular Dental Check-ups
You must regularly visit your child’s dentist to maintain the optimum dental hygiene of your kids. Dentists usually recommend visitation once in six months after they turn one year old. Remember, taking your child to the dentist early on helps identify any dental issues and check the oral development.
Moreover, if your child has plaque or cavities, dentists can use professional methods to remove them as soon as possible. Additionally, frequent dentist visits can reduce the anxiety and stress children experience when they visit the dentist. Hence, you should make it a habit to visit the dentist at least once a month for the optimum maintenance of your child’s dental health.
Encourage a Healthy Diet Rich in Calcium and Vitamins
As parents, you should encourage your children to consume a well-balanced diet. A balanced diet is vital in maintaining your child’s dental health and overall well-being. Hence, you should include foods that are rich in calcium.
These can include milk, cheese, or yogurt to strengthen your child’s bones and teeth. Moreover, you should also include leafy vegetables, fish, nuts, and other vegetables. These provide the necessary vitamins and minerals required for their health.
Additionally, you must include Vitamin D-rich foods like fortified milk and fatty fish that helps your child absorb calcium better. Hence, you must encourage your children to consume different types of vegetables. Interestingly, fruits and vegetables provide fiber that stimulates your child’s saliva production. This prevents their tooth decaying and keeps their mouth clean.
Moreover, as mentioned above, you should limit the consumption of sugary drinks and candy that risk enamel erosion. Hence, by focusing on a nutrient-rich diet, you ensure your child develops healthy dental habits.
Use Fluoride Treatments and Sealants
Fluoride is one of the vital elements that helps in preventing tooth decay and making your child’s enamel strong. Your dentist will recommend fluoride treatments for your children. This is especially for children whose teeth are prone to cavities. Moreover, fluoride treatments can be easily done with regular dentist visitation and are quite painless.
Moreover, dental sealants are another great preventive method. These sealants are protective, thin coatings applied over the back teeth’s chewing areas. This is where most cavities in children are found. Additionally, these sealants acts as a protective barrier that protects your child’s enamel against acids or plaque. Interestingly, these sealants are responsible for reducing the risk of molar decay. Hence, you should discuss different treatments and preventive methods before you incorporate these in your child’s dental care.
Make Dental Hygiene Fun
Dental hygiene for kids can be a nightmare. Hence, as parents you should make the entire dental hygiene process a positive one to motivate your children in embracing best dental hygiene practices. You can make brushing and flossing fun by making it into a fun game or activity. This can be done by using flavored toothpaste or colorful brushes and including fun games. For example, you can play a favorite and fun song while they brush for straight two minutes.
Moreover, you can add a reward system for every time they brush and floss their teeth. This will also instill regular practice. Additionally, you should tell your kids stories and show their educational videos related to dental health. This will help children grasp the importance of dental care. Hence, by making dental hygiene care fun and interesting, it can foster a lifelong commitment to maintaining healthy dental routine.
Educate About the Consequences of Poor Oral Hygiene
Children might throw tantrums about maintaining a healthy dental hygiene routine every day. Hence, you must educate your children on the importance of taking care of their teeth and gums. You can start by explaining what the consequences of poor hygiene are.
Then you should discuss gum diseases, cavities, and other dental health issues. Educate them about the pain and discomfort these concerns cause. Moreover, you can use visuals to demonstrate the effects of plaque buildup or tooth decay. Additionally, you should also explain the significance of taking good care of their dental hygiene.
Promote Consistent Oral Hygiene Routines
Your children must maintain a healthy and consistent dental care routine. This includes encouraging them to brush twice a day. You should ensure they use only a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and brush for two minutes. Moreover, you should supervise their brushing and flossing skills till you think they can do it themselves. Remember, consistency is key and hence, encourage your children to maintain the routine every day. Hence, you must take a disciplined approach to your child’s dental care. Do not miss out on supervising their brushing and flossing on weekends. Hence, you can get your child hooked on a routine that keeps them consistent towards their dental care throughout their life.
Wrapping Up
Parents need to maintain the best dental hygiene for their children, which requires early dental care, regular dentist visits, and regular brushing. Moreover, you should include a balanced diet with leafy vegetables and milk to strengthen your child’s dental care. You should educate your children about the importance and the consequences of bad dental health care. Hence, by carefully following these dentists’ advice, you can ensure the perfect oral health of your child.
