According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, at least 40% of children aged two to nineteen suffer from dental caries. Tooth cavities are so common that we accept them as part of growing up.
There’s no reason why children should suffer toothaches and fillings while growing up. As a parent, there’s much you can do to sustain and improve your children’s dental health.
Keep reading to find out how you can encourage good dental habits in children.
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Understand the Importance of Children’s Dental Health
As a parent, it’s easy to overlook the importance of baby teeth. After all, they aren’t going to be around for very long.
Baby teeth reserve space in the mouth for their permanent teeth, so it’s vital to care for them so your child’s mouth is ready for the arrival of their second set of teeth.
Your child’s early years are also a good time to establish good dental hygiene practices. Teaching them about good dental health now will help them enjoy a healthy smile for the rest of their lives.
Teaching Children to Embrace Dental Health
Children learn by imitating their parents. Show them how to brush and floss, and join in on this daily task with them.
A timer can help them learn to brush their teeth for at least two minutes. Remind them to attend to their teeth at least twice a day until it becomes part of their routine.
Bi-annual family visits to your family dentist are essential for creating a good mindset around dental care.
Research your local options for superior family dental care that caters to all ages. That way, you can plan your visits together and identify any issues early on.
Diet has a major impact on kids’ oral health. Providing a balanced diet and limiting sugar helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Make healthy eating the norm rather than the exception.
Dental Health Guidelines for Every Age Group
You’ll need to perform every aspect of your child’s dental care from the appearance of their first tooth up until the age of three. Be sure to establish good habits from the start.
That way, they’ll continue brushing and flossing for at least two minutes twice a day when they become more independent.
Young children between the ages of four and six are naturally interested in caring for themselves, but they’ll still need supervision. Make sure they’re brushing their whole mouth, and don’t use too much toothpaste.
Try to think of ways to make brushing fun so they embrace it every day.
By the time they reach six or seven, children are strong enough to brush all their teeth themselves, but you should still make sure they don’t slack on these tasks.
If you’ve done your job, children aged twelve and over should be capable of taking care of their dental hygiene on their own. All you need to do is make sure they have the supplies to do it.
Good Health Habits Start at Home
Although schools do a good job of promoting children’s dental health, you must remember that you are primarily responsible for molding your child’s attitude toward self-care.
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