How to Keep Your Child’s Teeth Healthy

Plano Pediatric Dentistry clinics devote attention to the prevention of cavities among children. According to the American Dental Association, cavities are common among children, but it can be prevented. You can prevent your child’s teeth from decaying with these helpful tips.

Early Orthodontic Treatment

Plano pediatric dentistry clinics recommend that your child gets an orthodontic assessment when he or she turns 7. First receptive treatment is recommended right before all permanent teeth have fallen out. The procedure allows the dentist to have timely detection of tooth problems.

Have a Regular Dental Cleaning

Your child gets to maintain good oral hygiene when he receives a regular dental cleaning. Once the first tooth erupts, take your child to the dentist for his first cleaning appointment. As a parent, you’ll also learn how to clean his teeth correctly.

Brush Your Teeth Together

Brush your teeth together with your child. It’s a great way to bond with him and help create a healthy dental habit. Also, when a child sees you brush, he would be encouraged to do so. Come up with a routine together, so your child looks forward to it.

Choose the Best Toothpaste

American Dental Association recommends the best toothpaste since they’ve undergone thorough testing to make sure it’s safe to use. Check the toothpaste for the ADA seal when you buy one. For toddlers, ADA recommends that you should use a non-fluoride toothpaste. 

When they turn 4 or 5, it’s best to use a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to supervise your child when he’s brushing his teeth.

Encourage a Healthy Diet

Your child’s teeth come in contact with everything he eats and drinks. He needs to eat healthy and nutritious foods to prevent damage to his teeth. You should limit his sugary and acidic food intake. 

Sugar and acid are two culprits that damage a tooth’s enamel. Kids will be kids, and they would want to eat something sweet from time to time. The most ideal thing that you can do is to make your child brush his teeth after eating those sugary treats.

Teach Them the Right Way to Brush Their Teeth

When the time comes for your child to brush his teeth on his own, teach him the proper techniques on how to brush effectively. 

For starters, encourage your child to brush his teeth in the morning and night. Let your child brush his teeth for at least 2 minutes. Let him clean the back of his molars thoroughly because that’s where cavities usually appear. Teach him to brush in circular motions to maximize brushing all areas of his teeth.

Teach Your Child to Floss

There are teeth areas where a toothbrush can’t reach, and flossingcan help. The key to flossing is that you should start with areas where two teeth touch. Your child may not be old enough to floss on his own, so you need to do it with your fingers. Use about 18 inches of floss and scrape it against the side of the tooth. Continue this procedure until all teeth have been flossed. 

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