Healthy Dental Habits for Kids
Good oral health habits are necessary if you wish to have a beautiful, bright smile. Dr. Hoang, your family dentist in Bethlehem, GA, recommends starting these habits at a young age. As parents, it’s your responsibility to motivate your children to take good care of their teeth. In the article below, we share a few healthy dental habits for kids.
Children’s Dental Treatment Basics: Brush and Floss
The most basic rule of dental hygiene is to clean and float your teeth every day. This is particularly important for the dental care of children. Make sure that you or your children brush their teeth at least twice a day. Usually, once in the morning and once in the night. But if you can do it more than twice a day, that’s even better. You or your children should also be flossing their teeth once a day. When you floss, it helps get rid of built-up plaque and food that your toothbrush doesn’t reach.
Eat Fruits & Veggies
Most parents are now seeking to inspire their children to eat fruit and vegetables to fight childhood obesity. However, these safe options also help your children’s teeth. Most of all, you want your children to consume fruits and vegetables that have a high amount of water. These forms of fruits and vegetables include pears, melons, and cucumbers, all of which are low in sugar. Our Bethlehem dentistry explains that the crunching method of eating these foods also helps to clean your children’s teeth. Try to stay away from those fruits that are higher in sugar, such as bananas and dried fruits. If your children eat them daily, that’s all right. Only be sure they’re not going to brush their teeth too long afterward.
Avoid Too Much Sugar & Starch
One popular warning that all parents give their children is that they don’t have too much sugar. Sugar cause children to become hyper weight gain and it can also damage their teeth. Most moms and dads are trying to keep their kids away from cookies, cakes, and candies. Other sugary and starchy foods, such as granola bars, honey, and even raisins, can also cause dental damage.
Watch Out for Pacifiers & Sippy Cups
It’s extremely normal for infants and toddlers to suck on pacifiers. It’s also very common for young children to drink sippy cups when they turn to actual cups or glasses. However, the prolonged use of both pacifiers and sippy cups can potentially be very harmful to your children’s teeth, our Bethlehem dentist explains. If your children continue to use pacifiers after two or three years of age, they can change the way their teeth line up and cause their teeth to get crooked or distorted. It may also influence the appearance of your children’s mouths. Don’t let your children use them all day long when it comes to sippy cups. Constant use of sippy cups can lead to tooth decay on the back of your children’s forehead teeth, particularly if they drink sugary liquids such as juice.
Stick To Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Dental hygiene is often forgotten during the holidays. Set an example by keeping up with your own timetable for brushing and flossing. If your kids see you making your oral health a priority, they’re more likely to comply. College Hill Dental, family dentist in Easton, PA, explains that even though it is hard, you must not break oral hygiene habits during the holidays. Dr. Dave explains that a holiday is not the time to take a break from dental hygiene, particularly when your children are most likely to indulge in more sugary and starchy foods. Remember, brush your teeth at least twice a day, for two minutes at a time!
Visit Your Family Dentist in Bethlehem, GA
Practicing good oral health doesn’t stop at home. You need to make sure that your children still see their Bethlehem, GA dentist on a regular basis. Many people, both children, and adults, usually see their dentist twice a year or once every six months. Keep this routine in place to make sure your teeth are clean and strong. In the case of children and dental treatment, the general rule is that their first visit to the dentist should be no later than their first birthday. As soon as their first tooth comes in, arrange a meeting. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s oral health, please contact Gentle Dental Group. We pride ourselves on providing the best dental services in Bethlehem, GA, and beyond.