5 Preventive Steps You Can Take for Your Child’s Best Oral Health
We all want what’s best for our kids, and preventive steps can help protect their oral health.
Parents will do whatever it takes to protect their children. But parents don’t know everything, and sometimes we don’t see the importance of preventive dentistry to keep our children healthy and their teeth strong. Thankfully, taking care of our kids’ oral health isn’t all that complicated. With just 5 preventive steps, we can set our kids on the path for good habits when they are older, thus lowering the risk for periodontitis and cavities.
5 Preventive Steps for Your Child’s Best Oral Health
If you want to help protect your child and their oral health, the best thing you can do is start early. Children learn by watching others, so when you take care of your teeth and your oral health, they will be far more likely to adopt those best practices as they get older and grow more independent. But aside from having your child learn by what you do, there are a few other preventive steps that you should take. Check out this list of 5 preventative measures for your child’s best oral health.
1. An Apple a Day
We are what we eat, so swap out sugary foods for foods rich in fiber, like apples, carrots, and celery. When we eat foods that aren’t good for us, our bodies pay the price. One of the best things we can do for our kid’s oral health and overall health is to switch out sugary foods for fiber-rich snacks. Sugary foods not only put us at greater risk for weight gain, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, acne, and more, but they are also quite harmful to our teeth. On the other hand, fiber-rich foods can reduce blood sugar spikes and cholesterol and get the saliva flowing, which can help protect the gums and teeth.
2. Fluoride Varnish
A fluoride varnish is a great dental treatment for kids. Fluoride varnish is entirely safe and can help prevent tooth decay. Though it cannot wholly prevent cavities, the use of fluoride treatment in combination with proper brushing and flossing is a great best practice. Fluoride varnish is applied by your kids’ dentist and can be done two to four times per year, depending on how likely it is for your child to develop a cavity.
3. Seal of Approval
Before we get into the importance of sealants, it is essential to know that dental sealants and fillings are not the same things. Dental sealants can help prevent tooth decay from forming as they provide a physical barrier to the teeth. This plastic resin that comprises the sealant sits on the surface of the rear teeth. The resin bonds to the tooth enamel, creating an effective and durable barrier that helps keep plaque from forming and food debris from accumulating.
4. See Your Dentist
Many parents wonder what to expect during their child’s first dental visit, but more importantly than that, they wonder when they should bring their child for that first appointment. Most pediatric dentists and general dentists alike recommend that your child come in for their appointment shortly after getting their first tooth and no later than their first birthday. Getting your child in when they are young helps them to develop a positive relationship with their dentist and can help set the stage for good dental habits at home.
5. Just Keep Brushing
Don’t underestimate the importance of an at-home dental routine. Like we said earlier, kids tend to learn by watching others. So, the best way to teach your child how to care for their teeth at home is by doing it for yourself and making sure that they see what you are doing. Make sure your kids understand the importance of brushing twice a day and flossing once per day. And even if your kid is tired at bedtime, you mustn’t skip out on that bedtime brushing.
Let the Must Love Kids preventive dentistry team help you and your child achieve good oral health.
By establishing a great relationship with your Vancouver dentist, you will be better equipped with everything you can do to help your child care for their teeth. Preventive dentistry isn’t the responsibility of the dentist alone; it’s a partnership between your kids’ dentist, your child, and you as the parent. The best way to get started is to request an appointment for your child by completing the online request form or by calling our office.
Not only does the Must Love Kids team look forward to meeting you and your child, but we look forward to developing a positive relationship for the years to come. By getting started now, we can set your child on the path to good oral health and help lessen the risk of cavities and periodontitis. And that’s something that any parent should feel good about.