Children’s teeth go through a lot of changes from the time their first tooth pops through their gums to losing their baby teeth and the growth of permanent ones. It is important to help keep their teeth healthy for proper growth and functioning. A dental hygiene clinic for kids can help put your child on the right dental path. You can do many things to help, starting with avoiding the most common mistakes parents make.
Dental Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Bottle Sleeping
A lot of people let their baby fall asleep with a bottle in their mouth. If they are constantly sucking on milk or formula bacteria levels can rise because of the sugar content. Give your baby a bottle of milk before bed and in the morning but avoid giving it to them as their security blanket.
Mistake 2: Waiting to Make Dental Appointments
Get ready, set, and make that important dental appointment for your child. A lot of parents think taking their one-year-old to a dentist is too soon since they have yet to grow a full set of teeth. In reality, your child’s mouth needs to be examined by a dentist at a young age to ensure the baby teeth have popped through the gums and are growing in properly. The dentist will also check for unusual dryness or a foul smell coming from their mouth which can be signs of dry mouth or bad oral health in general.
Mistake 3: Solo Brushing
When you let your kids brush their teeth without supervision, they might miss spots or not brush properly, damaging their teeth. Encourage them to brush gently in little circles with a soft bristle toothbrush. Make sure the brush fits the hand of your little one to make it easier for them to thoroughly clean their mouth. With your help, they learn to get to every tooth and along the gum line clean.
Mistake 4: Missing Lessons
Cavities tend to form when brushing and flossing are missed. It is important to make sure your kid forms a good routine of cleaning their teeth well after meals. This prevents the build-up of particles that can lead to plaque and tartar ending up as cavities. Brushing immediately after eating or drinking may damage their teeth, so it is a good idea to do so about 30 minutes later. A little time allows the tooth enamel to remineralize after weakening from what was put in their mouth.
Mistake 5: Unhealthy Eating
When you disregard your child’s eating habits, they tend to lean towards sugary things like candy. Teach them how to take care of their diet by encouraging them to snack on nutritious foods so they can have a healthy mouth and body. Cheese and milk products have a lot of calcium to help bone growth and leafy greens like spinach and kale can are filled with important vitamins. Get your kids to eat these things for good oral health and development.
Being at the Dentist
Regularly visiting a dental hygiene clinic for kids is a crucial step in keeping their oral health positive. It is natural for your child to feel a little uneasy when going to a new environment, but you can do a few things to make them feel more comfortable. Also, the more often they go to the dentist the more familiar they become with the environment, lessening their anxiety.
- Visit Before the Appointment – Bring your child to the dentist before their initial booking to allow them to meet the dentist, hygienist, and other staff members. This helps put them at ease for their scheduled appointment.
- Hold Their Hand – Nothing is better than a little hug or reassurance from Mom or Dad. Sit next to your child when they are in the dentist’s chair to let them know you are supporting them.
- Read Dental Books and Sing Songs Together – Incorporate education and a little fun about the importance of dental visits. There are plenty of children’s books to teach them about taking care of their teeth. You can also search the internet for songs to sing together that get them excited about dental processes.
- Bring Something Familiar – Take your child’s favourite toy with them to the dentist. This lets them have something to squeeze and offers some reassurance. It also gives them a feeling of home.
Keeping Your Little One’s Teeth Healthy
A dental hygiene clinic for kids will help you feel more comfortable about your child’s oral health. You will be able to monitor their teeth development and stay on top of issues that may arise. At Glenbrook Dental, we understand your schedules get busy, so we are a dentist open on weekends, every alternating Saturday, to accommodate your needs.