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It is a parent’s responsibility to ensure that children practice proper oral hygiene. However, deciding the best dental care for your child to prevent cavities and other developmental problems can be challenging. Read on for six oral health tips and guidelines for kids.

Start dental visits early

The best way to ensure your child maintains excellent oral health is by starting your kid’s dental visits early. This allows your dentist from Dental 360 in Calgary to catch any developing issues early and treat them before they worsen. You do not have to wait until your child is two years old to start visiting the dentist.

Consider booking your child’s first dental clinic as soon as they turn one or within six months from the emergence of their first tooth. Your dentist can also offer helpful advice, including how to notice developmental problems, prevent dental diseases, and check for cavities in milk teeth, which sets a positive precedent for subsequent visits.

Brush twice a day

Ensure that your children brush at least twice a day or after every meal. This helps to remove plaque and food particles stuck between the teeth. Consider brushing with your child to ascertain that they brush properly. Your child should brush for at least two minutes using up and down, back and forth motions. Remember to encourage kids to brush their tongues and gums to eliminate food particles, bacteria, and plaque that may linger there. For babies, use a soft clean cloth to wipe gums twice a day to eliminate sugars and bacteria that may cause cavities.

Limit sugar intake

Foods high in sugars, such as chocolates, potato chips, soda, and candy, to mention a few, produce a lot of acid in your mouth. It takes a minimum of thirty minutes for saliva to neutralize acidity caused by decay-producing bacteria. This means that the more sugar your child ingests, the more acidic their mouth remains, increasing the chances of suffering from tooth decay, so you should prevent your child from taking sugary products. Instead, feed your child with dairy products such as cheese. Consider reducing the intake frequency if your child must take sugary products.

Check the water

Determine the water supply that serves your home to ascertain that it is fluoridated. Fluoride is a natural-occurring mineral that helps strengthen the enamel layer and repair your child’s teeth. If your water is not fluoridated, you could consider speaking to your dentist about alternative fluoride options to prevent tooth decay and cavities. Investing in a toothpaste that contains fluoride is also an effective way to provide this essential mineral.

Floss daily

Ensure that your child flosses daily before going to bed. This helps remove plaque and bacteria stuck between the teeth.

Children must floss daily in order to maintain good oral health. The Instafloss electric flosser is a great tool for helping kids to floss properly. It can be challenging because plaque is a sticky film of food debris, saliva, and bacteria that can build up on teeth. By using an electric flosser your child can remove plaque more easily. It is also great because it has a timer, so your child can floss for the recommended two minutes. It’s important to teach your child how to floss properly so they develop good habits that will last a lifetime. 

Consider sealants

Consider asking your dentist to apply sealants when your child’s molar teeth erupt to prevent tooth decay or resulting fillings. 

Endnote

Your child only gets one set of permanent teeth. Use these dental care tips to protect your baby from cavities and other oral problems.