5 Oral Health Tips for Children

Updated on December 6, 2022

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Healthy teeth and gums are essential for your young one’s overall health. Instilling proper oral habits from a young age goes a long way in reducing plaque and preventing tooth decay and gum disease for developing teeth. In addition, having healthy teeth play an essential role in how children learn to chew, smile, and talk. Here are some oral health tips to start your child on their journey to a lifetime of healthy smiles.  

Have your child brush at least twice a day

Have your kid brush their teeth with a bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time. Use a small smear of fluoride toothpaste as soon as your kid gets their first tooth and gradually increase the amount as they age.

Teach your children the proper brushing technique and allow them to try it on their own once they have mastered it. Supervise your children’s teeth brushing until age eight or once you are confident they are doing it right.

Schedule regular dental visits

Routine dental check-ups are essential to maintain the oral health of your growing child. Begin taking your kid to a pediatric dentist as soon as they have developed their first baby tooth.

A regular dental check-up can help catch cavities or tooth decay at an early age and prevent them from worsening. In addition, it offers an excellent opportunity for children to learn from professionals about proper oral hygiene techniques, such as brushing and flossing. The best family dentist on Langley, BC, will also help you pick a toothbrush for your kid’s soft gums.  

Check their toothbrush regularly

A toothbrush can become less effective at removing plaque and calcium deposits from your kid’s tooth as it gets old. Dentists recommend replacing your child’s toothbrush every three months. Children are also more prone to chewing on or sucking their toothbrushes, so ensure you replace them as soon as the bristles are flat, worn out, or splayed-looking.  

Teach them to eat a well-balanced diet

Children who consume lots of sugary drinks and foods are at high risk of cavities. Therefore, choosing a healthy diet for your kids, including calcium-rich foods, is essential. Avoid too much sugar, and don’t allow your kid to take a lot of fruit juice, soda, or sugary drinks. When your kid takes sugar, be sure to brush their teeth immediately.

Chewing gum is safe for older kids as it offers some benefits, such as strengthening the jaw, removing bits of food, freshening breath, and helping produce saliva. However, limit the sugar gum your child chews, as sugar can cause cavities.  

Keep them hydrated

Water helps to clear away any sugar or particles that can lead to cavities. Develop a proper water drinking routine, such as drinking a glass of water when they wake up, keeping water handy in the car, and sending a bottle of water with their lunch to school.

Endnote

Good oral health for children begins with setting a good example. Note that anything that makes taking care of teeth and gums fun, such as brushing with your kid or allowing them to pick their own toothbrush, can encourage oral care. Start teaching these habits as early as possible to help set your kid up with a sparkling, healthy smile for the rest of their life.

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