As a parent, you want your child’s teeth to be in perfect condition. Children’s Dental Center is here to provide tips to ensure your child’s healthiest smile. We understand keeping track of everything involved in maintaining a beautiful smile can be a lot, but our team is here to break down the essentials for you. Read on to learn the importance of brushing and flossing daily, establishing healthy habits early, bringing your child in for their check-ups, and more.
Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily
Brushing your teeth clean is one of the most efficient ways to maintain your oral health and the long-term condition of your smile. Children’s Dental Center recommends using a soft-bristled, rounded toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. This combination protects your child’s tooth enamel and prevents common complications, such as cavities, from developing.
All you need to do is use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and place the brush at a 45-degree angle at your gum line. Move the brush in a circular motion around each tooth. Repeat on each surface and the gums. Continue brushing for at least five minutes to clean all areas properly.
It may sound like a simple step, but reminding your child to maintain this routine can offer incredible long-term benefits as their teeth grow. As your child adjusts to the amount of pressure necessary for proper brushing, they may use toothbrushes more quickly. Always keep extras handy so they can easily switch them out as necessary.
Floss to Keep Out Plaque
Our team recommends flossing at least once daily to protect your child’s teeth from plaque buildup. Many do so at night to eliminate any leftover food particles from the day’s meals, but any point of the day when they can make the time is beneficial for their oral health. Using a floss stick instead of a string may prove more manageable for your child so they can get into every crevice.
If their teeth are misaligned or crooked in some areas, food may be more susceptible to being caught in hard-to-reach areas. When you bring your child in for their check-up, our dentists, Dr. Rowland, Dr. Selecman, Dr. Daniel, and Dr. Melody, can point out specific areas to keep track of during your routine.
Establish Oral Care Routines Early
The earlier you can establish routines, the easier it will be for your child to maintain a healthy smile. Teaching them the importance of oral health and setting aside the right amount of time now will help them take better care later. Helping them maintain their oral health allows them to enjoy the functionality and strength of their original teeth without complicated procedures or the need for replacements down the line.
When braces or other treatment may be necessary in their teens and beyond, they will undoubtedly appreciate the habits they’ve held onto. Whether you set a phone reminder or slowly introduce your child to a daily and nightly routine, the above tips will soon become tasks they follow instinctively!
Come In For Your Biannual Check-In
Our top priority at Children’s Dental Center is your child’s oral health and providing them with resources to prevent common complications such as tooth decay and gum disease. During their check-in, we will provide a detailed cleaning of their teeth, using professional tools to scrape off excess plaque and tartar, look for cavities, and examine the gums for any signs of disease.
These simple yet thorough appointments optimize and refine your dental health. Should dental issues arise, you can count on us to provide prompt and efficient treatment before they become severe. We encourage you to contact us prior to your child’s next check-in if they share any pain with you or mention certain teeth bothering them.
Moderate Sugary Intake
There is nothing wrong with enjoying a sugary food or drink every now and then. Cake, ice cream, candies, and the like are great to have at celebrations or as pick-me-ups. However, if your child overeats sugary foods, it can adversely affect their overall dental health. They may not feel anything is wrong initially, but complications can start inside the teeth and become more severe before making themselves known.
After overeating something sugary, the natural bacteria in their mouth feed off the carbohydrates it leaves behind, resulting in an excessive acid build-up. This acid negatively impacts your child’s teeth, including breaking down the protective layer of enamel and exposing them to tooth decay, cavities, and temperature sensitivity.
Some areas of their teeth are difficult to reach with a toothbrush, leaving them exposed to what they consume until their next appointment. Dr. Rowland, Dr. Selecman, Dr. Daniel, and Dr. Melody caution parents to limit how much sugar their children eat to avoid emergencies and maintain the long-term health of their teeth.
Keep Drinking Water
Water is one of the best natural ways to clean teeth throughout the day. Like your child’s toothpaste, water contains the helpful mineral fluoride, which combats tooth decay, cavities, and bacteria. Drinking water during the day even dilutes the acids created in their mouth from sugary foods, preventing cavities. Keeping a bottle with them during the day will strengthen their teeth and benefit their general health.
Protect Your Child’s Smile!
The Children’s Dental Center team is here to be you and your child’s dental health support system! If you ever have questions about their teeth or aren’t sure how to handle something, don’t hesitate to contact our front desk; they will happily help you. Our practices are located in Collierville, Midtown, and Arlington, serving the surrounding communities. Request an appointment today with our dentists today!