Keeping your child’s teeth healthy in the first decade of their life is crucial to their well-being. At this time, they are more likely to develop plaque, which causes tooth decay and cavities. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth, especially after eating. Good dental health also helps prevent your child from developing an infection, inflammation, and gum disease. Having your child have good oral hygiene is a good idea because they are more likely to continue these habits when they reach adulthood. Let us talk about simple and easy ways to give your child a bright and shiny smile.
Brush teeth regularly
It may seem obvious, but brushing your child’s teeth is one of the best ways to keep them healthy. Start brushing as soon as their first tooth appears. Dentists advise brushing their teeth for two minutes twice a day. Brushing before bed is essential so the bacteria cannot feed on any food debris left in the mouth. The toothbrush should have soft bristles. To encourage brushing their teeth, buy a toothbrush with their favorite cartoon characters featured. You can buy a toothbrush with a timer to ensure that they brush their teeth for the recommended time. When you press the button, a flashing light indicates your child to start brushing. After two minutes, the light stops flashing, so your child knows when to stop.
If you have the budget, you can buy an electric toothbrush for your child. It is available for children three years and over. Studies show that electric toothbrushes are more effective in removing plaque from the teeth than manual ones. So they can help keep your child’s teeth and gums healthier. Supervise your child when they use an electric toothbrush.
Floss regularly
Get your child into flossing their teeth because brushing alone cannot remove the plaque and debris between the teeth and under the gums. Therefore, flossing is crucial for your child’s dental health routine. Start flossing your child’s teeth from ages two to three or when their two teeth touch. Supervise your child while flossing until they reach ages 8 to 10 years. Dentists advise children to floss at least once a day for 2 to 3 minutes. It is better to floss before brushing their teeth. To avoid artificial and toxic chemicals, choose unwaxed, organic, or bamboo floss because they do not contain PFAS. These are toxic chemicals that can harm your child’s health. Health risks include cancer and damage to the liver, kidneys, and immune system.
Use fluoride-free toothpaste
Most children’s toothpaste contains artificial chemicals, including fluoride. Avoid giving these kinds of toothpaste to your child. Although fluoride can help fight cavities, it is a toxic chemical. Too much fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis in your child. It causes tooth discoloration where white or brown spots appear on the teeth. Extreme cases can lead to skeletal fluorosis, where fluoride starts to build on the bones, causing pain and stiffness. Other health problems related to fluoride exposure include cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and decreased fertility.
Instead, choose fluoride-free or herbal toothpaste because it removes plaque and food debris effectively and safely. It contains natural and organic ingredients such as mint, tea tree oil, menthol, cloves, papaya, and coconut oil. Children have smaller teeth, so they do not require a lot of toothpaste. Children under the age of three only need a tiny amount (the size of a grain of rice). From the age of three years, children should use a pea-sized amount.
Healthy diet
What you give your child to eat and drink directly impacts their overall health and dental health. When your child consumes foods and drinks containing sugar and carbohydrates, the bacteria in the mouth convert it into acid. If this acid attack becomes frequent, it eventually causes cavities. Avoid or cut down on giving your child sugary or starchy foods. Acidic foods and drinks are also damaging to your child’s teeth. If consumed frequently, it can erode the tooth enamel and expose the inner layer of their teeth. It can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Acidic foods include lemon, oranges, fruit juices, and fizzy drinks. If they drink acidic beverages, make them use a straw and place one end towards the back of their mouth. It will limit the contact the drink has with their teeth.
Snacks and meals
Limit the number of times you give your child a meal or a snack. The Oral Health Foundation recommends eating three meals a day instead of snacking 7 to 10 times. If you give your child sugary or sticky snacks, do so at mealtimes only. For a snack, give your child foods that do not contain sugar. Teeth-friendly snacks include Greek yogurt, nuts, breadsticks, raw vegetables, and goat’s cheese. Dried fruit is healthy but give it to them at mealtimes as they tend to stick to the teeth.
Dental checkups
Take your child to see a pediatric dentist at least once every six months. The dentist will monitor various aspects of your child’s dental health. They will also measure the growth and development of the teeth. It allows them to identify dental problems at an early stage. They also gently and thoroughly clean away plaque and tartar from your child’s teeth. It prevents tooth decay and cavities from forming.
Make it fun!
Maintaining healthy teeth does not have to be boring for your child. Here are some tips on how to encourage them and make it enjoyable:
•Set a good example. Children typically imitate what their parents do. So, have good eating and oral health habits, and they will follow suit.
•Floss and brush together as a family.
•Make a reward system when they brush or floss consistently.
•Let them choose their toothbrush.
•Every so often, change the flavor of their toothpaste.
•Make healthy foods together. Bake sugar-free cupcakes and biscuits using sweeteners, such as xylitol, stevia, erythritol, and monk fruit. These sweeteners will not cause tooth decay, and they will satisfy their sweet tooth at the same time.
Easy ways to give your child a bright smile
