As a parent, you want your child to have every opportunity for a healthy life—and that includes a healthy smile. Good dental care starts at home and can prevent cavities, promote healthy development, and encourage habits that will last a lifetime.
Children’s dentistry at Alpenglow Dental is positive, comfortable, and easy to understand. From that first tooth to learning how to brush on their own, there are things you can do at every stage to help your child’s smile.
When is The Right Time for My Child to Start Seeing a Dentist?
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You might be surprised to learn that your child’ dental journey begins much earlier than your first dental appointment. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your child’ first visit when their first tooth appears or by their first birthday.
These initial visits allow your dentist to monitor your child’ growing teeth and gums. They also allow parents to learn how to care for their child’ teeth at home, covering everything from brushing to diet to fluoride.
It also allows your child to get used to visiting the dentist. By coming in for regular, preventive care instead of waiting for a problem to arise, dental visits won’t be associated with that first cavity or painful tooth.
Teach Your Children Good Brushing Habits Early on
Baby teeth deserve care even before the first tooth emerges. Wiping down baby’s gums with a soft, wet cloth is a great place to start.
When teeth arrive, brush them twice daily with a soft, child-sized toothbrush. Children will require assistance when brushing, as most don’t have the manual dexterity to reach all surfaces of the teeth.
Once your child is old enough to brush their own teeth, allow them to give it a try! Continue to supervise children’s brushing to ensure they are doing a thorough job.
Good brushing habits include:
- Brushing 2x per day for two minutes
- Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste (in a amount suitable for their age)
- Brushing all surfaces of each tooth
- Flossing when teeth begin to contact each other
- Changing toothbrushes every 3-4 months or when bristles are frayed
Establishing brushing as part of the morning and bedtime routine helps kids stick with it.
Help Your Kids Enjoy Brushing Their Teeth
Brushing doesn’t always feel like fun for kids. Here’s how to make it more game-like:
Let them pick out their own toothbrush. Play two minutes of their favorite song while they brush. Make a basic brushing chart they can place stickers on. You can even brush your teeth at the same time to show them good brushing habits.
Positive reinforcement can be much more effective than creating another chore for your child. Let them learn how taking care of their teeth is normal and rewarding.
Remember to Floss
Kids shouldn’t floss until they have the dexterity to do it right. But even the best brushing can miss hard-to-reach areas between teeth.
You should begin flossing between your child’s teeth when two teeth start to touch. At first, this will likely be a parent’s responsibility. Children’s floss picks can help simplify the process.
Once your child has better coordination, our team can show them how to floss on their own.
How Does Diet Impact Your Child’s Teeth?
Everything kids consume can play a major role in the health of their teeth.
Sugar-feeding bacteria in the mouth break down foods carbohydrates to create acids that attack enamel. If your child snacks often or sips on juices or soda throughout the day, their teeth can be frequently exposed to these acids.
Focus on filling their diet with fruits and vegetables, dairy products like cheese, lean protein, and other foods that are high in nutrients.
Water is another great drink your child can have every day.
You don’t have to keep your kids from candy or sweets altogether. Limiting how often they have sugary treats is best. It’s much better to have a sweet dessert with your dinner than to be snacking on sweets all day.
Watch out for Sugary Drinks
Sports drinks, soda, juice, and sweet tea can also be damaging, as children may drink them for hours at a time.
Always encourage your kids to drink water in-between meals.
Bottles and sippy cups should also be monitored at bedtime. Parents should be careful about allowing their toddlers to fall asleep with milk, formula, juice, or other drinks filled with sugar.
Regular Dental Checkups are Important
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Even if your child brushes and flosses regularly, he still needs professional dental care. Regular visits to the dentist will allow your child’s dentist to monitor how his teeth and jaws are developing. These visits also help catch potential problems before they develop into serious problems.
Preventive dental care may include cleanings, fluoride treatments, dental X-rays (as needed), and dental sealants depending on your child’s specific needs.
Dental checkups are also an opportunity to have your questions answered about topics like brushing, thumbsucking/pacifier use, teething, braces, sports mouthguards and other important issues affecting your child’s dental health.
Dental Sealants Can Help
The chewing surfaces of your child’s permanent molars have tiny grooves where food particles can easily get trapped. Brushing alone may not completely clean out these grooves. Dental sealants provide a thin plastic coating over the grooves of these teeth that can greatly reduce your child’s risk of developing cavities.
Ask your dentist if sealants are right for your child.
What Happens When Baby Teeth Get Cavities?
Don’t shrug off cavities in baby teeth. You know they’re only temporary, so why spend the time and money to get them treated? While it’s easy to assume that a cavity won’t affect your child’s permanent teeth, that isn’t actually true. Baby teeth still serve important functions until they’re ready to fall out.
Baby teeth help kids chew, talk and hold space for their adult teeth. If left untreated, tooth decay can even cause pain or infection. That’s why children should still receive dental treatment for cavities.
Help Your Child Feel Comfortable at the Dentist
Did you know that your child looks to you to understand what to expect from the dentist? As their parent, you have a huge impact on their impression of dental care. So try to discuss the dentist in a calm and positive manner. It may be tempting to tell your child that the dentist won’t hurt them because you had a bad experience as a child yourself, but hearing negative things can make them nervous.
Instead, tell them the dentist will count their teeth and ensure they’re healthy. With regular visits, kids will become less resistant to going to the dentist. They often build negative opinions because they’ve only gone when something was wrong. Preventative appointments can help them gain confidence.
Have Your kids Wear Mouthguards During Sports
If your child plays contact sports or other activities with a high risk of falling or collisions, get them fitted for a mouthguard.
Mouthguards help absorb shock that can damage teeth, lips, cheeks, and other soft tissues in the mouth.
Ask your dentist about the right type of mouthguard for your child based on age, sport, and stage of dental development.
Watch for Changes Between Appointments
In between dental checkups, parents should monitor the condition of their child’s teeth and gums.
Call your dentist if your child experiences persistent toothaches or sensitivity, swelling or bleeding gums, discoloration, chipped or damaged teeth, or any other change you notice. Dental injuries should be seen right away, especially if a permanent tooth is injured or knocked out.
Healthy Habits Begin at Home
There’s no magic formula for raising a healthy mouth kid. More times than not, it’s the little things that set us apart.
Brush twice daily. Floss often. Drink water. Avoid frequent snacking on sweets. Stay on top of your preventive dental appointments. And most of all, teach your kids that taking care of their teeth is no different than taking care of any other part of their body.
Small habits like these can lead to a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Give Your Child a Healthy Start With Alpenglow Dental
From baby teeth to permanent teeth, your children will experience many dental milestones as they grow up. Make sure they have a dental home that will guide them every step of the way.
Alpenglow Dental takes pride in helping children understand the importance of good oral hygiene. We’re here for you and your family with trusted children’s dental care in Salt Lake City. Call Alpenglow Dental today at (801) 883-9177 or contact us online to learn how we can help your child achieve healthy dental habits.
