What you should know about your child’s dental health?
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Being on top of your child’s dental health is important. If your child’s dental health is bad, their overall health could be suffering. There are many things that you can do to ensure that your child’s dental health is where it should be.
Brushing and flossing
Your child should be brushing and flossing their teeth at least twice a day. They really should be doing it after every single meal and if they have a sugary snack. It is important that a child learns how to brush their teeth correctly. Take the time to show your child how to make sure that they get every single tooth and that they brush their tongue. You will want to make sure that they brush their teeth long enough as well. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that they are brushing their teeth for two minutes. For younger kids, you can purchase a toothbrush that plays music for two minutes. For older kids, you can find toothbrushes with timers or flashing lights that let the child know when it is time to quit brushing.
Flossing can be difficult for kids. It takes time and practice to get the hang of flossing between each tooth. If you have a child that has trouble flossing, you may want to purchase a water flosser. A water flosser will help to remove all the bacteria from the gums and teeth without your child having to put a lot of effort into it.
Seeing the dentist
Another thing that you must do to ensure your child’s dental health is great is to take them to the dentist every six months. When your dentist sees your child every six months, he or she can ensure that there are no problems. If there are problems like cavities, they will be able to address them. If there are wisdom teeth or other problems, they can create a schedule where all of these issues are dealt with. Your child’s dentist will also be able to tell you about things that you should be doing to help your child’s oral health.
Older children and braces
As your child gets older, the need for braces will arise. This is common with most teenagers and can help them to have straight teeth. However, in some cases, teenagers may be sensitive to the metal in the braces, or they simply do not like the look of braces. If this is the case, you can speak with your dentist about Invisalign. Your dentist should be an experienced invisalign dentist that can tell you whether or not your child is a good candidate. Invisalign will straighten your teen’s teeth without the need for metal braces. Most people who use Invisalign have seen that their teeth get straighter quicker. Speak with your dentist to see if your child would benefit from this new technology.
Food and drink
To stay on top of your child’s dental health, you will want to make sure that they are not consuming tons of sugary foods. It can be hard to keep children away from sweets, and it is perfectly normal for them to have sweets once in a while. They should not be eating them constantly as it will cause cavities. If you do give a sugary sweet, you should make sure that your child brushes their teeth right after eating. Encourage healthy snacks that are full of calcium as calcium is good for the teeth. You will also want to encourage your child to drink enough water. Sugary sodas and juices will cause cavities very quickly.
Addressing problems quickly
Periodically, you will want to check your child’s teeth. Look for any signs of cavities or swollen gums. If you see an issue, you will want to call your dentist to make an appointment. If your child starts to complain about their teeth hurting, this needs to be addressed quickly. Dental problems that are left untreated can become more significant problems if they are left alone. For example, a small cavity can quickly turn into a large cavity and become infected. Not only will your child be in pain, but the cost of the repair may also be much more expensive.
Staying on top of your child’s dental health will ensure that they have healthy teeth for a lifetime. If it has been a while since your child has seen the dentist, schedule an appointment today.