As a parent, it is your responsibility to see that your child enjoys good oral health. You should set an oral health routine for your kids early so your child doesn’t have dental problems or bad habits down the road.
Here are a few areas you should focus on:
1. Regular cleaning
Ensure that your children brush their teeth with a fluoride-based toothpaste and floss daily. If they are not able to brush their own teeth or floss, you can do it for them. Sometimes, kids might just forget to clean their teeth, especially if they are in a hurry. You need to keep this in mind and ask them if they have cleaned their teeth. If you suspect they are skipping the process, you might want to physically supervise their daily teeth-cleaning. Also, encourage them to rinse their mouth with water after they have eaten.
2. Visits to the dentist
A child’s first visit to the dentist should be when he turns one or within six months of the eruption of his/her first tooth. Your dentist will be able to tell you about subsequent visits. Usually, for children with no dental problems, it is twice a year. However, the frequency of dental examinations might be more if your dentist suspects a dental problem.
3. Nutrition
Diet is a major factor that affects a child’s oral health. For good oral health, it is important that your child eats a balanced diet. Junk food, carbonated drinks, sodas, and sweets are generally bad for your child’s teeth. Though an occasional treat need not be discouraged, parents must avoid giving their children sugary snacks, milk, formula, juices, or soda at bedtime. Encourage your kids to eat whole grains, fresh vegetables, fruits, and lean meats.
4. Discourage Thumb-Sucking
Thumb sucking can adversely affect teeth alignment in children. While it is natural for babies to suck their thumbs, it is not the case with older kids. Most kids stop sucking their thumbs before they turn 4. However, if your child still has this habit, you might have to discourage it or seek professional help.