As a parent, it’s your responsibility to make sure your children’s teeth are as healthy as they should be. However, with the majority of sugar-laden foods and drinks marketed to children these days, it can seem impossible to get your kids brushing and flossing as often as they ought to be.
Luckily, there are several things parents can do to protect their children’s dental hygiene.
Not sure how to ensure your children get the dental care they need? By regularly bringing your kids to a family friendly dentist and following these three tips, their teeth can stay healthy and beautiful:
Start brushing and flossing at an early age
You should start showing your child how to brush his or her teeth as soon as that first baby tooth comes in — even though 63% of American parents wait until more teeth grew in to start brushing. Additionally, you should show your children how to properly floss as soon as they have two teeth that touch. By starting these good habits early on in childhood, your kids can have healthy teeth for the rest of their life.
Discourage bad habits
If you have more than one child, be sure to discourage saliva-swapping habits like sharing toothbrushes and utensils. These activities can pass harmful bacteria and make it harder for the teeth to stay healthy and plaque-free.
Schedule that first dental appointment on time
Did you know that your child should be visiting one of the best family dentist offices in your area within just six months of getting his or her first baby tooth? It might not seem like it, but the health of our baby teeth can have a profound impact on our adult dental hygiene. As a result, you should be scheduling that first dentist appointment as soon as you see the first tooth emerge — and no later than his or her first birthday.
Have any other questions about dental cleanings, dental insurance or finding the best family dentist near you? Let us know in the comments below. Read more about this topic at this link.