Proper oral care for kids creates a lifetime solution to most recurring dental problems. Starting early also helps set good dental habits for your little ones from a tender age.
However, instilling these oral hygiene habits in your kids can sometimes be an overwhelming task. In any case, many parents do not know how to get kids to be enthusiastic about their dental hygiene.
Thankfully, we are here to help. Our friendly and passionate kid’s dentist provides some useful tips and guidelines on how to start and maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine for your kids.
Visit a Professional Kid’s Dentist
As they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. As soon as your child gets their first two teeth, you should start planning a visit to the dentist. The appointment should be scheduled six months after they get their first set of teeth or on their first birthday.
This will enable the dentist to know what type of products to be used by the baby or if they have any underlying gum problems which can be taken care of at an early age hence prevent numerous future dental problems. Visiting a kid’s dentist can also help your child learn the importance of good oral hygiene at an early age.
Minimize Your Childs Fruit Juice Intake
Did you know that fruit juice contains a lot of artificial sugars that coat your teeth and act as a breeding ground for bacteria?
Drinking fruit juice might seem like a better idea compared to soda or other fizzy drinks. However, juice contains sugars and sweeteners that could coat your child’s teeth and cause decay. With this in mind, you should cut your child’s intake of sugary beverages and fresh juice.
Encourage Proper Brushing After Each Meal
Getting your child to brush their teeth regularly may be a tough call. However, there are several ways of making them brush their teeth voluntarily. For instance, you can let them choose their toothbrush and select their own brushing routine as long as they brush their teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes.
It is vital to change the toothbrush after every three months and use a soft-bristled toothbrush for kids to avoid harming their gums.
Floss At least Once A Day
Flossing is not a preserve for adults. Even kids should floss their tiny teeth every now and then. This helps remove bacteria and plaque that build up between the teeth. You should let your child choose their desired floss to encourage them to keep high dental hygiene.
Stop Pacifiers Past 2 Years old.
Pacifiers serve a significant role in soothing our babies to sleep. However, you should stop using pacifiers on kids when they reach two years. The main reason for this is that as a child grows, their teeth tend to grow in alignment to objects inside the mouth. If a child’s teeth grow around the pacifier, this can cause bite problems later on in life since it also affects the shape of the mouth.
We know that it might be challenging getting your child to brush their teeth regularly. However, with a little bit of encouragement, and by following our tips, your kid’s dental hygiene will surely improve.