Going to the dentist can be scary for anybody of all ages – especially kids. After all, kids listen to everything we say as adults. They know that a dentist visit can occasionally be painful.

However, not going regularly can make those visits even more painful then they should be. Teaching your child habits for good dental health is very important when it comes to taking care of their bodies. We teach them to eat right and to clean themselves – brushing their teeth after each meal is also a lesson they have to learn.

 

When should dental care start?

Dental care for children starts before their teeth even come in. Many parents are unaware that they should run a damp rag over their baby’s gums to get rid of bacteria. Not doing this can cause infections like Thrush, that can be painful to your child. Once that first tooth comes in, you should immediately begin brushing it with a “baby tooth brush” that is soft and gentle.

Pediatric dentists recommend that your child be seen when they are about a year old and continue to be seen twice a year from then on. The more familiar they become with the dentist before there is anything serious to do, the better. The last thing you want is for your kids to be scared of the dentist and cause problems every time you have to visit.

photo credit: ToniVC via photopin cc

photo credit: ToniVC via photopin cc

 

Teeth strengthening

There are preventative methods to strengthen your child’s teeth – a common method is to have the dentist coat their teeth with a sealant. If food is missed while teeth-brushing, it won’t be harmful to their gums.

Choose healthy snacks for your children, especially when packing their lunches for school. Fruits and vegetables are better for their teeth as well as the rest of their body. Sugarless gum can be beneficial to teeth as it helps remove food particles and also promotes saliva production which neutralizes the acids in your mouth. Those acids erode your enamel and can cause cavities. Children love chewing gum, so this is a win/win for you.

Teach your children to floss as young as possible. There are many products that can help, if they have problems with regular floss. Those little toothpick/floss tools work great and kids have less trouble getting to those tricky areas with them. Mouth rinse works great and there are products that the kids can use BEFORE they brush their teeth One actually lets the kids know where they need to brush, by staining the “dirty stuff” on their teeth, so they can get it all. It brushes right away and they know their teeth are really clean that way.

 

Stay consistent

Dr. Mo Saleh, a prominent dentist, says that many children don’t have access to dentists because the dentistry profession is growing smaller every day. If this is true, then parents really need to be on it when it comes to keeping their children’s teeth healthy. Be vigilant and instill good brushing and flossing habits into your children, so that they will have less problems when they get older. Especially when they reach those teen years and tend to get a little bit lazier than normal. You will be doing them a big favor and keep them from painful dentist visits later on in life.