Caring for Your Lovely Kids’ Teeth

Are you as concerned about your kids’ teeth hygiene as I am about my own? Then, need to take responsibility for their dental hygiene and set good habits for them! It is common knowledge that a lack of proper dental care eventually leads to diseases and infections! Please read on to learn about tips for your kids’ dental hygiene!

When Do Kids Start Growing Teeth?

Generally, the first teeth appear between 4 and 7 months and are called milk teeth. By age 3, your kids will have already grown 20 milk teeth. Then, between 6 and 12, your kids start losing their milk teeth, and their permanent teeth start filling in the gaps until they eventually get a complete set of 32 teeth! During this time, taking your kids to the dentist for regular check-ups can help in the proper growth and alignment of their teeth!

How do you keep kids’ teeth healthy and hygienic?

Brushing and flossing

You must start teaching your children proper dental care from age 1! Use a soft child toothbrush to brush your children’s teeth with water 2 times daily. It might also help if you use a small amount of mild fluoride-free toothpaste, which will not cause problems to your children if swallowed! Also, do not forget you have to assist in your kids’ brushing until they are 8 years old! While you support your kid’s chin with one hand, use your other hand to brush his or her teeth backward and forward in circular motions for 2 minutes. In addition, it is essential to teach your kids to floss their teeth and brush their tongues!

Diet

Healthy foods are essential for your child’s dental hygiene. Avoid excessive amounts of candies, sugary drinks, and sweet and salty snacks since these foods can increase the risk of cavities! In addition, you should teach your kids to brush their teeth after eating their sweets and choose the right foods for their oral health. You may not believe it, but chewing gum has been shown to have many benefits for your kids’ teeth! The benefits of sugar-free chewing gum are listed below:

• It strengthens the jaw.

• It helps produce saliva, which balances the acid that causes tooth decay!

• It washes the bits of food stuck to the teeth.

• It freshens the breath.

The role of fluoride in dental health

Fluoride plays a vital role in your child’s teeth health! It reduces cavities and strengthens teeth by causing the tooth enamel to become harder. You get fluoride in tap water! Also, your kids can get a fluoride varnish at the dentist! However, excess fluoride causes tooth stains that harm your child’s health.

What is the most common dental problem?

Cavities

The most common dental problems among children are dental cavities. Cavities are holes in the teeth that occur when bacteria multiply in your kids’ mouths. The bacteria feed on sugary food stuck on their teeth to release an acid that dissolves tooth enamel, forming holes! If the holes get deeper with poor dental hygiene, tooth decay occurs! Now, how do you know if your kids are prone to cavities? These are the risk factors for cavities:

• White or brown spots on their teeth.

• The need for habitual special dental care needs.

• Avoiding visits to the dentist.

• Premature birth or low birth weight.

 

Mouth safety

Another crucial part of dental hygiene is mouth safety! Especially for kids who do sports, you should purchase a mouth guard! A mouth guard is a soft plastic retainer to cover their teeth and lips. Its purpose is to protect their mouth from injuries that lead to infections in the mouth!

Making dental hygiene among kids fun

You can follow these tips:

• Allow your kids to select their toothbrushes and toothpaste.

• You can read books or watch videos on dental hygiene.

• Set a timer for 2 minutes when your kids are brushing. You can also play their favorite songs at that time.

• You can reward your children for good dental care.

• You can arrange a fun activity after your child’s dentist visit to cheer him up.

Maintaining good dental hygiene is a habit you should develop in your kids early! It is not difficult as it only needs some practice! Your children will also become responsible when they learn to maintain dental hygiene independently! However, you should be with them for supervision and guidance! You can also make your children’s brushing a fun activity to bond with them! Please share your comments below!