5 Ways to Protect the Health of Your Child's Teeth

Children who adopt good oral care habits are more likely to maintain them as they grow up, so it's important to emphasize oral health, even for very young children. Taking good care of primary (baby) teeth also helps to ensure that adult teeth grow in correctly. Here are five ways to protect your child's teeth, and ensure they grow up with healthy oral hygiene habits.

Monitor Their Brushing Habits

Regular brushing and flossing is essential for good oral health, so it's crucial to start these habits early, and monitor brushing and flossing so that it's being done effectively. Children can typically start to learn brushing at around 3 years of age, although they'll need help with flossing until the age of 9 or 10.

Teach Healthy Food Choices

The foods we eat play a big role in shaping our oral health. For example, a diet that's high in sugar encourages bacterial growth. Similarly, the failure to regularly include certain essential minerals in your child’s diet can affect the development of adult teeth. As a result, it is important to teach children about making healthy food choices, and about the connection between nutrition and their bodies.

Encourage Drinking Water

Encouraging your child to drink plenty of water is highly beneficial. In addition to being a healthy alternative to sugary soda and juices, drinking plenty of water can help ensure good hydration. This in turn ensures the mouth is able to produce saliva, which contains compounds that help to slow the growth of bacteria between meals.

Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year

Establishing a good at-home oral care and effective dental hygiene regimens are essential to keeping small smiles bright and healthy. Additionally, your child should be visiting the family dentist twice a year for routine cleanings and check-ups. These regular visits are incredibly important as they allow the dentist to look for changes that might indicate a dental problem. Professional cleanings also allow dentists to remove tartar build-up and keep your child’s teeth and gums in great shape.

Ask Your Dentist about Protective Treatments

Primary teeth are more susceptible to decay than adult teeth are. As a result, it is important to provide children’s teeth with extra protection. Your dentist can help promote healthy smiles by providing fluoride treatments and sealants that reduce the risk of cavities.

Your Dentist is here to Help

To help keep small smiles healthy, Dr. Marcia Blazer provides a range of preventive dental procedures tailored to children. Contact our Scottsdale dental office to schedule your next appointment today.