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When it comes to the kids in your life, what healthy habits do you want to encourage? Maybe it's saying "please" and "thank you," putting back their toys after playtime or trying to make sure that they get enough sleep and exercise. But one of the most significant habits that people forget or pay little attention to? Good dental hygiene.
While the overall upbringing matters a lot, so does teaching the meaning of dental health to a child. If not checked, children could experience all sorts of dental problems including cavities, and gum disease, and these could be worse off than you imagine.
You may be surprised but cavities are the most commonly occurring childhood diseases today in the world. Oh, and the probability is actually bigger than asthma or obesity. And the statistics are quite shocking and, based on research, around 40% of children two- to five-year-olds have had a cavity in their front teeth. Moreover, most children who become school-going will have at least one cavity that isn’t treated.
There is so much more to cavities than just the pain; they can also hinder a child from concentrating in class, or interacting with other kids since it makes them insecure about interacting. Fortunately, there are several common things that you can do to significantly decrease your child’s chance of getting cavities and other dental problems.
Here are seven essential tips to help your child’s smile stay healthy and strong.
We all know brushing needs to be made an everyday practice, but getting kids excited about it can be a challenge and sometimes a hassle. Instead of treating it like an annoying chore, make brushing something they look forward to. All positive habits should start early.
You actually need to start by letting your child pick out their own toothbrush. It can be their favorite cartoon character like minions or spiderman or even barbie themed! You can also try brushing alongside them. Kids love to imitate adults, they’re like little monkeys following your footsteps, and seeing you brush can really inspire them to pick up the same habit.
For instance, you may decide to set two minutes on the clock or play your kid’s favorite song in a bid to encourage the child to brush. Cleaning should take two minutes for each part of the house, and if some music is playing in the background, time passes rather quickly. Once they're done with brushing for the full two minutes they will develop the feeling like you’ve accomplished a homework assignment.
We also should not forget about positive reinforcement. Placing a sticker chart or some sort of small token of reward where they stick to their brushing habits can brighten them up as much as the gold star that comes for a job well done in school.
Some parents make the mistake of thinking that flossing as something that will have to be done later, many years down the line, after the child has grown up; this is a very big mistake, flossing should start the moment the child grows at least two teeth that are touching. Brushing alone reaches a little more than half of the tooth surface at a time leaving the inner areas exposed to plaque formation and this can lead to formation of cavities. So, we advise early flossing for all new parents!
When there’s gonna be food stuck between teeth, it’ll actually lead to cavities and gum problems, even at a young age. Flossing removes the food particles and plaque that brushing simply can’t reach, preventing the onset of gum disease and keeping your child’s mouth healthy.
As we mentioned earlier, If you have a baby, you can start with the kid-friendly flossing picks, which is particularly convenient for children’s hands. As with the brushing, fun and rewarding experiences will help the child develop flossing into a routine they will adhere to when they grow up.
We all know at this point that kids and sugar is a popular combo but it is that one combination that tends to bring destruction to the children’s teeth, literally! The bacteria in our mouth feed on sugar: each time your child takes any sweet product, it produces acid that corrodes the external cover of the teeth. In the long run, this culminates into having bad breath, cavities as well as tooth decay.
This doesn’t mean your child has to give up their favorite treats entirely, instead, learn to prioritise healthy food choices. The key is moderation. Instead of reaching for a sugary soda during meal time try to switch to either water or milk. For snacks, select foods that help strengthen teeth such as cheese, yogurt or raw fruits and vegetables. These foods not only offer factors that build teeth but also help wash the teeth as they consume food.
It is better not to allow your child to have more sweets between meals and try to restrict them to snacks only. As with any oral health advice, the longer teeth can go without having to process sugar, the less harm it can cause.
Taking your child to the dentist may not always be at the top of your list, but it’s actually one of the most important things you can do for their dental health. Regular dental checkups help catch problems before they get serious and reinforce the importance of taking care of their teeth.
It actually seems ridiculous to floss out baby teeth, why bother? Well frankly, if a baby teeth problem is left untreated then they can cause problems once the permanent teeth come in. This way the dentist can identify and recommend the appropriate intervention before things become worse, for instance, before the start of cavities, gum problems and other such dental issues. In fact, the earlier you begin these checkups, the more you set forth a good dental health regime for your child.
Also, routine visits allow your child to become familiar with the dentist, in case of any complicated check-ups, or if needed to attain dental surgery. This they are able to do while still growing up hence helping to eradicate any dental anxiety they may develop later in their lives. What this means is that your child will develop the right perception towards dentists, and see dentist visits as a normal part and parcel of their healthcare rather than something to avoid.
Besides, that way you also provide the dentist with a possibility to give professional advice for your child, based on their development stage. Tips on brushing techniques, recommendations for which area of the mouth should be brushed first, how often, and suggestions for personalized fluoride treatments, for example, are all important things that your child’s dentist can educate them on.
Some of these minerals include fluoride, which is one of the most important ingredients that can make a lot of difference in people not contracting cavities. It improves the mineralization or strengthening of teeth’s enamel, increasing its resistance to the acid solutions that belong to the decaying process of teeth. It’s used in almost all toothpastes and is present in the water you and your child might be using too, although it might be useful to ensure that he or she is taking enough of it for the health of his or her teeth.
Here’s how it actually works: fluoride gets absorbed into the enamel on your teeth, making it harder and less prone to decay. It doesn’t just prevent cavities; it can even reverse the early stages of tooth decay. If your child’s teeth are regularly exposed to fluoride through toothpaste, mouth rinses, or professional fluoride treatments, their teeth are more likely to stay strong and cavity-free.
For young children, it’s important to supervise their brushing to make sure they’re using the right amount of fluoride toothpaste. A pea-sized amount is usually all they need. Swallowing too much fluoride can lead to something called fluorosis, which can cause white spots on the teeth, so make sure they spit out the toothpaste instead of swallowing it.
Ask your dentist about fluoride treatments during regular checkups. These treatments, whether in the form of a gel, foam, or varnish, can give your child’s teeth an extra layer of protection, especially if they’re prone to cavities or live in an area where the water doesn’t contain fluoride.
Read more on Does Sugar Cause Tooth Cavity.
It’s no secret that what your child eats directly affects their dental health. While sugary treats are the obvious culprits, even some seemingly healthy snacks can do harm if you’re not careful. Encouraging healthy snacking habits can go a long way in keeping your child’s teeth strong and free from decay.
Certain foods can contribute to tooth decay more than others. Sugary and starchy foods, like candies, chips, and even certain fruits, can stick to the teeth and become a breeding ground for bacteria. The bacteria then produce acid, which wears away at the tooth enamel, causing cavities. The key is not just limiting these foods, but also making sure your child brushes after consuming them.
On the other hand, some snacks are actually good for your child’s teeth. Foods rich in calcium, like cheese and yogurt, help strengthen teeth and neutralize acids in the mouth. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, like apples, carrots, and celery, act almost like natural toothbrushes by scrubbing the surface of the teeth as they’re chewed. These snacks also stimulate saliva production, which is your body’s natural defense against acid and bacteria.
Encouraging your child to reach for these tooth-friendly options can help make snacking both healthy and enjoyable. Instead of banning sweets altogether, try balancing them with healthier options and making sure that sugary snacks are consumed in moderation.
As any parent probably knows, getting a child to consume healthy snacks can sometimes be very difficult especially if the child is particularly picky. Posted by Jillian Michaels She suggests the following as the beginning: every meal should include healthy snacks in the form of cut fruits and vegetables, yogurt or cheese sticks, and water should be the only beverage.
As you can also see, you can make healthy snacks enjoyable as well. You can get creative when dishing out the fruits and the vegetables, try making them into shapes or pack them in a few small containers. If you allow your child to have a say as to what she or he will be taking, its free will to take the foods offered is highly expected.
Of course, the fact remains that it does pay to practice what you preach when it comes to developing healthy habits. When your child looks at the example you set and realizes you’re choosing the apple rather than the cookie, they wouldn’t mind following the same. It is not about denying them a treat once in a while because it is about helping them understand how healthy eating is good for their teeth and the rest of their body.
As a parent, you should ensure that your children go for dental check up and cleaning sessions to improve their oral health each time. They will brush your child’s teeth and if they realize that your child has some problem they will be in a position to fix it before it gets worse. They will also be happy to advise or provide guidance or address in case you have a question about or a concern about your child’s dental habits.
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