“Take good care of your child’s baby teeth. They do eventually fall out, but until they do, baby teeth play an important role in helping your child bite and chew food, and speak clearly. Many of the same treatment and evaluation options that adults have are also available to kids. These include x-rays, dental sealants, orthodontic treatment and more” (Colgate). As a parent, your kids look to you for just about everything. You are the one who provides for them and you are the one who teaches them what they need to know as they grow. Many times, we are leading and teaching by example.
Our kids watch us to see what we do and they try to copy us and mimic what they see us do day in and day out. This is why you must lead by example when it comes to dental care for kids. Here are some of the good dental care tips for kids that we recommend to all of our parents at Kopp Dental. Use these tips to help protect your child’s teeth:
- Let the kids see you do it. Show your kids why good oral care is important. Show them how good your teeth are because of your good dental care routine. Likewise, show them how bad your teeth are because you haven’t kept up with dental care. In either case it is a learning opportunity that they can see and will instill in them the value of good dental care.
Choose a dentist everyone trusts. It may seem impossible at first, but it is so very important to find a dentist who you and your children like and feel comfortable with. It will make the experience more enjoyable for everyone. Children are easily frightened by many of the things that happen at the dentist so having someone good with kids is a must!
- Take them to the dentist regularly. Even before the first baby teeth are showing your child couldto be seen by a dentist. Once their teeth start coming in they need to be seen for routine cleanings and checkups every six months or more often if necessary. This not only works to protect your child’s teeth but will help them be accustomed to the dentist office early on.
- Remind them to brush. Many parents don’t want to seem to be nagging or pestering their kids about brushing and flossing. But in this case, it is better to be annoying than risk your child’s oral health. Always ask your children if they brushed their teeth after breakfast and then again before they go to bed. Make sure they know that they can remind you too!
- Teach the importance of flossing. For some parents, it seems to be a never-ending battle just to get brushing done each day. The thought of adding in flossing seems too much to ask. However, flossing is just as important as brushing and may also help prevent gum disease. This can affect their overall health now and later in life so try to floss at least once a day.
- Make sure they have breakfast every day. Having a breakfast packed with protein has been shown in some studies to reduce cravings for sweets later on in the day. This can help cut down on sugary snacks and protect your child’s teeth from the damage caused by candy and sweets. It is an important meal for many other reasons as well and should not be skipped.
- Reduce sugar in their diets. This is one of the best things you can do as a parent to protect your child’s teeth. Replace sugary snacks and drinks with healthy alternatives to cut down on the amount of sugar they eat and how much gets stuck on their teeth. The sugar in foods such as fruit, cheese and vegetables are much better than the sugar in candy and soda.
- Reward healthy habits. Find ways to reward your child for good behavior. Let the tooth fairy leave money or something else rather than candy when they lose a tooth. Have the tooth fairy make ‘good job’ visits after dental checkups and leave a treat to encourage their progress. Consider doing something fun as a family to celebrate big dental milestones too.
Let us Help You Protect Your Child’s Teeth
As a parent, you, of course, want to keep your child healthy and safe, and part of that job is finding ways to protect your child’s teeth. These ten tips are a great way to get started, but if you would like to know more or are looking for a dental team to take care of your child’s dental needs, we are here for you.
At Kopp Dental, our team of dental care experts can work with you to find easy and practical ways to protect your child’s teeth each and every day. We are proud of the relationships we have developed with our patients based on honesty and trust. Our office is more than just a dental practice. It is a legacy rooted in a culture of high educational, professional, and personal standards in the dental field.
For more than a quarter ofa century, the practice has been handed down from teacher to student – each time building another level of excellence. Our dental reviews speak for themselves as to why our patients come to us for all of their dental care needs. Call us today for a consultation appointment or to learn more.