Making your child understand oral health is essential for their wellness overall. Proper oral hygiene helps your child develop good dental habits as they grow. Conversely, poor oral hygiene can end in infection, illness, or other dental issues.

 

It is important to start teaching your children about basic oral hygiene at a very young age. This is because what they consume impacts their teeth and entire health. For example, too much sugar, starch, and carbs in the diet can lead to cavities and tooth disease.

 

As a parent, you should make your child aware of eating well and practice proper hygiene.

 

Let’s have a look at some important factors that can help improve your child’s oral health:

 

Make them brush twice a day

 

Dental hygiene care should begin when your child is born. When they get to the age of one or two, make them using a soft child-size toothbrush. Brushing your child’s teeth with water at least twice a day is recommended. You can also add a small amount of fluoride-free toothpaste. This toothpaste is safe for your child to consume.

 

Once your child is old enough to spit out the toothpaste, you can move to fluoride-containing toothpaste. Again, use only a tiny amount. Teach your child to distribute it evenly across their teeth, gums, and tongue.

 

You can also consult with your child’s dentist to help your child learn the best way to brush teeth.

 

Rinse mouth after eating

 

There’s no reason for kids to wash their teeth after every meal and snack. However, rinsing with water after eating or drinking is a good idea.

 

This activity can act as a bath for the teeth, washing away food waste and bacteria. It will also stimulate the flow of saliva. Moreover, it aids in the remineralization of your child’s teeth.

 

Limit sugary drinks

 

When bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars and starches, they produce acids. These acids can erode at tooth enamel. As a result, cavities, or holes, grow in the teeth throughout time. A high-sugar, high-starch diet is another main cause of dental decay in youngsters.

 

Sugary foods and simple carbs like white bread should be consumed in moderation. Certain beverages, such as soda and sports drinks, are both sugary and acidic. It makes them damaging to enamel, so keep children away from them as much as possible.

 

Instead, encourage your child to consume a balanced diet rich in lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, and healthy fats. This can be in the form of low-fat dairy or calcium-fortified dairy substitutes. Fibrous. Fresh fruits and vegetables have the extra benefit of scraping away plaque. Finally, make water your child’s primary drink and source of hydration.

 

Flossing

 

Flossing is another way to keep your child’s oral health good. It removes plaque that a toothbrush cannot reach between the teeth and beneath the gum line. Plaque buildup happens by ineffective brushing and flossing. It is one of the primary causes of dental decay in children. So make flossing a top priority!

 

When your child is old enough, ask them to floss at night. It will help in removing all the food debris, bacteria, and plaque that has been in the teeth during the day.

 

Avoid Cavities

 

Cavities are holes that develop in the teeth. These can happen when bacteria (germs) accumulate in your mouth. Sugar in meals and drinks converts to acid, which can erode your teeth.

 

Cavities are more common in children because their teeth are more difficult to brush. If someone has cavities, they should take good care of it. Since cavity-causing bacteria can spread to infants, and children easily.

 

Including fluoride

 

Fluoride is an essential mineral that helps in keeping the teeth strong. It binds to the tooth’s structure to prevent decay. This makes your child’s teeth more resistant to plaque’s cavity-causing acids.

 

Fluoride is absorbed into permanent teeth in young children for long-term advantages. However, not enough fluoride can make your child more prone to tooth decay.

 

How do you make sure that your child is getting enough fluoride?

 

By making your child use fluoride toothpaste and topical fluoride treatments at the dentist. But don’t let your child have excessive fluorides. As these can cause is a condition called fluorosis.

 

Follow up with your child’s dentist.

 

Taking your child to the dentist at an early age will make them more comfortable. It also instills the importance of frequent dental checks. You should make your child visit the dentist at least twice a year.

 

Also, if you notice the following problems, talk to your child’s dentist right away:

  • Your child is having tooth discomfort or has an oral infection.
  • Your child has a permanent tooth extraction. If you discover the tooth, place it in milk and bring it with you to the dentist.

 

Following these tips will greatly help you understand your child’s oral health.