Children Can Benefit from These Oral Hygiene Tips

Oral hygiene tips can benefit everyone especially children in their developing years. Children that receive tips for oral hygiene and care for their teeth and mouth from the early stages will be able to enjoy a lifetime of good oral as well as overall health.

Besides brushing twice a day for two minutes each and flossing at least once a day, changing their toothbrush every three months children must also be encouraged to visit the dentist at least once in six months for cleanings and exams. The regular cleanings will help the dental hygienist to remove any buildup of plaque and tartar that can lead to problems like cavities. Dental issues identified in the early years can be treated immediately and the treatment can prevent any severe issues lasting several years. The dental hygienist can also provide the child with even more oral hygiene tips to keep maintain their dental health.

Considering Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride occurs naturally and is a mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel. Fluoride treatments can be administered by your child’s dentist that can help prevent tooth decay can cavities. Depending on the needs of your child they may be recommended 2 to 4 treatments every year. Children can begin receiving oral treatments immediately after the eruption of the first tooth.

Have a Tooth Healthy Diet

Your child’s diet can have a big impact on their dental health. Encouraging children to have foods rich in dairy products, broccoli, leafy green vegetables can result in healthy teeth and bones. You may also discuss with the child’s doctor about providing the child calcium supplements. Other vitamins like iron, iodine, zinc, potassium, copper, complex and vitamin C and B complex can all play a role in the health of your child’s teeth. Feeding them a healthy and balanced diet will get them the essential nutrients they need to maintain good oral hygiene.

Starting Early Dental Visits

Many children are not taken for the first dental visit until they are past the age of two. However, it has been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry that every child must have a dental visit within six months after the eruption of the first tooth or by the age of one. The initial visits will be primarily informative with the dentist providing you oral hygiene tips for the baby. Taking your child for dental visits at a younger age will allow any developing issues to be detected and treated early. It can prevent minor problems from worsening into major issues. Children who begin dental visits by the age of five can also save a considerable sum of money over a five-year period.

Consider Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are the treatment that can prevent tooth decay in the child’s permanent teeth. Permanent teeth have many fissures and pits where food particles can get stuck in leading to the buildup of plaque and tooth decay. The child’s dentist can apply dental sealants to prevent this from occurring and to cover these grooves. The treatment should not cause any concern as it is quick and painless and offers benefits that last for years.

Dental sealants should be considered the movement your child’s first molars erupt by the age of six because they are most effective on the chewing surfaces and the child’s mouth. The child can get another treatment when their second set of molars erupt at the age of 12.

Consider Mouth Guards for Children

Pediatric dental trauma is quite common as many children impact their mouths when playing at home or at school. Dental trauma at an early can cause cracks and chips in the teeth that can become infected and lead to problems like a root canal. Preventing pediatric dental trauma is easy if you contact your child’s dentist for a custom-made mouthguard for the child to protect his or her teeth. The mouthguard may seem expensive in the initial stages but will prove beneficial in the long run.

Discourage Use of Tobacco Early in Life

Everyone wants their child to be a role model and never consider the use of tobacco or begin smoking. Unfortunately, these habits are picked up by children more frequently than others. It can have a significant impact on their oral and overall health causing them to have multiple problems that can only cause life-threatening diseases. Avoiding Tobacco is not just a good oral hygiene tip but is also a tip for a good life.

If keeping their children’s teeth in good condition is the goal of any parent they can find a plethora of oral hygiene tips which are all useful along with the basics of brushing, flossing and visiting their dentist once every six months to maintain their dental health in top condition.