We all want our children to have healthy teeth. Making proper oral health a priority in your home is a great way to not only ensure your child’s ideal smile but to also improve their overall health.
Establishing a Relationship with a Comprehensive Family Dentist
It is important for kids to be seen early, that means as soon as their first tooth emerges. We feel that getting comfortable with the dentist helps illustrate to young children the importance of their teeth and gums.
Encouraging Proper Oral Hygiene habits Benefits More than Your Child’s Smile.
Recent scientific studies have established a clear link between the condition of our mouths and several systemic illnesses. Heart disease, respiratory infections, and diabetes are just some of the oral/overall health connections cited.
These findings make instilling the fundamentals of oral hygiene even more important. These vital, basic steps to ensure the health of your child's mouth include:
Seeing the dentist regularly – Children who attend early stress-free visits with the dentist are less likely to resist treatment later. Fluoride treatments and sealants help protect vulnerable teeth from cavities and kids begin to understand that their teeth and gums require special care.
Visiting our office every six months for a cleaning and an exam, allow issues to be corrected before they become complex problems and allow the dentist to determine if orthodontic intervention will be necessary.
Accurate brushing and flossing techniques – Learning the correct way to brush and floss help kids keep their teeth and gums free of plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria. It is this oral bacteria, which if allowed to proliferate, can lead to other health concerns.
We recommend a soft-bristled, child-sized toothbrush. Holding it at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line, brush using a small circular motion to help remove plaque from along and under the gumline. Clean the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of all the teeth. To brush the backs of the front teeth, have them hold the toothbrush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes. Brushing their tongue and the roof of their mouth is also important to minimize odor-causing bacteria.
Instead of traditional dental floss, many parents find single floss aids easier to use on their young children’s teeth. When they are old enough to floss on their own teach them to floss starting with a piece that is approximately one arm’s length. Form a C shape around the first tooth and move the floss from the crown of the tooth to below the gumline. Repeat using a fresh section of floss for each tooth & don’t forget to floss behind the very last tooth in each quadrant.
Turn your child’s oral hygiene routine into quality family time - Brush with them, praise their efforts and emphasize the importance of brushing in the morning and before bedtime to keep the harmful bacteria away.
It is important for parents to monitor their children brushing & flossing and to touch up the brushing after the child has finished in order to clear any areas they may have missed.
Offer your child plenty of water throughout the day – Water helps rinse away left-over food particles and bacteria. Avoid sodas and citrus drinks, which are full of sugar and can strip tooth enamel.
Use a children’s mouthwash – Dental rinses provide further additional protection for young teeth and help keep their breath nice & fresh.
Using these basic but effective methods with your kids puts them on the right path to maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile that will serve them well in the years to come.
To Learn More Dental Tips – Call Riverside Dental in Grand Forks Today
If you are seeking a compassionate and experienced family dentist in Grand Forks, ND – Call Dr. Amanda Vesterso at Riverside Dental – we love seeing children’s smiles!