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Nov 12, 2024
Children are playful and curious. They want to explore and admire different things. The growing-up period is the most important part of our lives before becoming vulnerable and impudent teens. Since young minds are highly impressionable, parents must teach their children values and good behaviour. They should be allowed to be naughty within limits and informed about the harms of developing bad habits.
Sensitising kids about personal hygiene and cleanliness is an important lesson that should not be missed, especially oral health. Often parents forget to build a dental health routine for children. It backfires in the form of cavities and gum problems at a young age. Here are a few tips for keeping your child’s teeth healthy. These can help them maintain dental well-being and hygiene for long-lasting natural teeth and a beautiful smile.
1. Introduce Brushing and Flossing Early
Introduce brushing as soon as primary teeth start erupting to keep them clean. When the kids are 1 to 3 years old, use baby toothpaste suggested by your dentist Hope Island and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Increase the amount of toothpaste from rice grain size to the size of a pea for 3 to 5 years.
Keep increasing the amount as they grow older. Teach them to brush in the morning and before bedtime without fail, even if they are travelling or feeling sick and lazy. Parents must supervise their children until age 8 and then let them be independent. Besides brushing, they must be taught to floss once daily to remove food debris that cannot be eliminated.
2. Use the Right Brushing Technique
Another important lesson for dental health is learning the right way to brush. Most people learn about this in adulthood because of lack of awareness. It is vital to use a toothbrush with soft bristles that can fit a child's mouth. It must be held at a 45-degree angle towards the gumline and moved back and forth gently. Children must be taught to cover all surfaces and back teeth, as well as their tongues, to clean the mouth perfectly. They must rinse thoroughly and spit the water out.
3. Use Fluoride For Optimum Oral Health
Fluoride is a natural mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and protects teeth from decay. This is why Hope Island dentists recommend using fluoride-based toothpaste. Since most Queensland households get fluoridated water, the need for fluoride can be met. The mineral content of drinking water should not exceed 0.7 parts per million. Parents must encourage children to drink tap water to get the required dose for healthy teeth.
4. Prepare Your Child For Permanent Teeth
Kids are curious and highly intelligent. They want to know how and why of everything. It is best to inform them about milk and permanent teeth when they are 4 to 5 years old. Prepare them for the falling out of milk teeth and their replacement with new teeth. Stories or fun facts about teeth can be shared to make them comfortable, and the dentist can make it clearer with diagrams and pictures.
5. Prepare Wholesome Meals for Kids
Children are in different developmental stages while growing up. Their bodies and mouths undergo physical changes until adulthood. The growth spurts at these stages require nutrition and a well-balanced diet plan that eliminates the risk of deficiencies. According to dentists in Hope Island, teenage kids have more nutritional requirements and should be given healthy, homemade meals. These must include fresh fruits, vegetables, milk products, soups, eggs, fish, whole grains, nuts, and meat. Processed, frozen and canned foods should be avoided.
6. Restrict Intake of Junk Food
The best way to keep kids away from chocolates, candies, fries and fizzy drinks is to introduce them much later. Many parents give sugary treats and drinks to their young children. It makes them addicted to sugar and ruin their teeth. The biggest reason for developing cavities among children is sticky foods that lead to tooth decay. Parents can restrict junk food intake and maintain healthy food habits at home and school. They should inform them about the harmful impact of unhealthy food choices and the painful treatments involved in restoring damaged teeth.
7. Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months
Every age group must visit their dentists in Hope Island twice a year or earlier if they are prone to dental problems. The practitioners are experts in identifying decay and gingivitis early and eliminating it before it aggravates. They also suggest preventive measures like dental sealants for children with a high risk of developing cavities. In addition, building the habit of visiting the dentist from an early age eliminates the anxiety and fear associated with the treatments. It must become a routine for the entire family and should not be missed.
8. Lead By Example With a Healthy Routine
Kids always look up to their parents. Because of their impressionable age, they unconsciously pick up the habits and routine of the family members. Thus, parents must be cautious about their own dental health and routine. They must show their kids how to take care of their teeth and help them understand the importance of this regimen.
Wrapping Up
Various antics and activities keep children busy during different stages of development. They must be guided to monitor their oral health and maintain optimum hygiene to reduce the risk of painful dental problems.
