It’s a great month at DaBell and Paventy Orthodontics because we are celebrating Children’s Dental Health Month! As passionate dental healthcare providers, our team loves sharing resources that help encourage kids to take care of their teeth and gums. Whether you have an appointment with us in the next few weeks or not, we hope the tips below will help you make your child’s dental health a priority every month of the year!
5 Great Tips for Healthy Teeth in Kids
As parents or caregivers, our desire is to promote healthy lifestyles for our children. Sometimes, that may not always be so easy. When it comes to their teeth, however, there are some things you can do to help make it easier.
Encourage Daily Habits
The best way to live a healthy life is by establishing solid routines. Encouraging your child to get in the habit of caring for their teeth will be something they hold onto for the rest of their life. The American Dental Association recommends that for optimal dental health, kids need to brush their teeth twice every day for two minutes each time, and floss daily! For children in the middle of orthodontic treatment, brushing may need to increase to three or four times daily, or after every meal (talk to your orthodontist about brushing frequency).
Educate About Healthy Diets
One of the main contributors to cavities, tooth decay, weight gain, childhood diabetes, early onset heart disease, anxiety, and the list goes on – is a bad diet! When kids are eating more than 30 grams of sugar daily and not eating enough greens or vegetables, their overall health will take a drastic turn downward – and not just their teeth! Educate your child about the importance of eating a healthy diet that incorporates whole foods, grains, complex carbohydrates, vegetables, and fresh fruit. It may be hard to ask a child to avoid sugar, but if you can replace candy or ice cream with fresh apples or strawberries – you’ll be on the right track.
Use the Right Tools and Techniques
Something that many parents don’t realize, even for themselves, is that using the right tools for the job can be the difference between adequate health and optimal health. In this instance, we are talking about your toothbrush! Kids and adults should be using a soft-bristled toothbrush when they brush their teeth to avoid damaging the enamel. In addition, ensuring the use of toothpaste containing fluoride and a fluoride mouthwash will help protect your child’s teeth in between dental visits.
For technique, brushing at a 45-degree angle (or in tiny little circles) and touching every part of every tooth from the bottom up to the gum line is the best way to eliminate cavity-causing bacteria.
Protect the Teeth
Kids are very active and many participate in sports that may get a bit rough. While we are here for you if your braces-wearing child suffers from an orthodontic emergency, the best way to protect their teeth is by having them wear dental guard when doing activities that could result in dental trauma. Losing baby teeth early can contribute to gaps, spacing issues, and misalignment of the permanent teeth when they do erupt.
See a Trusted Dentist or Orthodontist in Spokane
Of course, the best choice when it comes to optimal children’s dental health is having routine exams and cleanings twice per year and consulting with a trusted orthodontist at age 7. By this age, most children will have lost at least one or two of their baby teeth and may need early orthodontic intervention to help prevent severe issues down the road. Schedule a consult today at one of our five convenient locations around Spokane and let’s encourage children to have healthy teeth for life.
