6 Tooth To-Dos for Kids

Top Tips for Kids’ Tooth Health

Once your adult teeth come in, you have them for life. Taking proper care of your teeth should be a top priority. Starting out with the right habits can help kids build a solid foundation to keep their teeth healthy as they continue to grow.

Even children who still have baby teeth should follow these important tips. Optimal baby tooth health can help avoid many problems, and it’s best for kids to get used to maintaining good oral health as young as possible.

1. Always brush twice a day.

Brushing your teeth is the most important part of taking care of them. Bacteria live in your mouth, and they eat the bits of food and drink that are left there. Brushing controls the level of bacteria in your mouth. It prevents bacteria from causing lasting damage to your teeth.

Thoroughly brushing twice a day is the best approach. Make sure you don’t miss any spots and don’t forget to brush your tongue as well! Many toothbrushes have a special pad on the other side of the head just for brushing your tongue, or you can use a tongue scraper. 

By keeping up with brushing, you can keep on top of your kids’ tooth health and grow strong teeth.

2. Don’t forget to floss.

A kid’s teeth inevitably end up with bits of food stuck between them. There are plenty of tight gaps and crevices where food particles can build up and bacteria can thrive. Regular flossing removes that material. You should floss once a day, right before brushing. Brushing after you floss will get rid of any unstuck bits of food.

Flossing is a lot easier than it seems. You can simply take a section of floss and wrap the ends around one finger on each hand. From there, slide the floss in between each of your teeth and move it up and down to remove bits of food and bacteria.

3. Drink plenty of water.

Some tips to keep a kid’s teeth healthy are very straightforward. One of the best ways to protect your teeth is to just make sure you drink plenty of water during the day. Put simply, drinking water rinses debris off of your teeth and mouth and helps keep them clean. 

Drinking water doesn’t clean quite as thoroughly as brushing, but every little thing you do to clean your teeth adds up.

Every time you drink water, it helps to wash away some bacteria and stuck food particles. It doesn’t get them all, but it helps clean your mouth when you do not have a toothbrush nearby. Drinking water is certainly much better for your teeth than drinking sugary beverages like soda or juice to stay hydrated throughout the day.

4. Stay away from sugary snacks.

The bacteria that cause tooth decay love to eat sugar. When you eat very sugary snacks like candy, you’re leaving plenty of sugar behind for this bacteria to eat. When the bacteria eat sugar, they produce acid that wears away at your teeth over time.

 Many items you eat contain at least some sugar, but certain foods contain much more. Candy and soda are two of the biggest contributors. Not only are they full of sugar, but they’re also very sticky. Particles and residue from these foods can stick to your teeth for a long time, feeding bacteria all the while.

5. Treat your teeth to healthy foods.

Sticking to healthy foods can go a long way toward improving and maintaining your kids’ tooth health. Raw fruits and vegetables are at the top of the list. They’re full of vitamins and contain plenty of water. The chewing required for these crunchy treats and their water content help naturally clean your teeth and reduce the bad effects of sugary foods.

Kids should also make sure to get enough calcium. Calcium is found in dairy products like cheese, yogurt, or just plain milk. These all help promote strong teeth. Protein-rich foods also play a role in your kids’ tooth health. Meat and nuts are both excellent sources of protein.

6. Don’t shy away from your dentist.

Many kids aren’t too happy when it comes time to visit the kid’s dentist in Vancouver. However, coming in for regular exams and cleanings actually helps prevent many issues. 

At a dental exam, your dentist can spot problems early. That way, they can treat them more easily. This means you may not need difficult procedures to fix serious tooth damage later.

Dental cleaning also helps prevent cavities and tooth decay. Your dentist removes plaque and tartar, which are hardened deposits on your teeth. Regular brushing can’t deal with these well, so professional cleaning is the best way. Your dentist can also provide fluoride treatments to protect your teeth from cavities.

Your Kids’ Tooth Health Matters to Their Dentist in Vancouver

When it comes to children’s dentistry in Vancouver, nobody is more specialized and capable than the team at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry. We’re dedicated to treating children with a focus on their comfort and delivering personalized care. Contact our office today to schedule your child’s first appointment.