It is the role of every parent to keep their family safe. Apart from providing them with a safe living environment, ensuring that children are healthy is vital. Children’s happiness and their wellness go hand in hand.
When we talk about being healthy, most people instantly think about diseases and lifestyle conditions such as diabetes and blood pressure. Unfortunately, a majority of people are not keen on dental health.
Dental Care
Dental care involves cleaning the teeth, mouth, and gums to ensure they are healthy. It is something that is often overlooked but plays an important role in overall well-being. Not only does it accentuate the physical appearance and gives an infectious smile, but it also goes a long way in improving the quality of life.
As your family grows, it is essential to teach them proper dental care. Fortunately, there are various ways to ensure your children’s teeth grow stronger each day.
Let us delve into specifics.
Go For Regular Dental Check-ups
Regular dental check-ups are important for more reasons than one. By scheduling visits to a Pediatric dentist in Memphis TN, a dental check-up for cavities, plaque, and tartar is done.
During the examinations, the gums are also checked. Gum disease is a common dental problem that, if left untreated, can cause more severe issues and make one susceptible to life-threatening conditions such as cancer. Additionally, the teeth are cleaned.
Regular visits to the dentists are vital. If you have no dental problems, a visit every six months is what is recommended. Otherwise, it is best to go to a dental clinic as many times as your dentist recommends. Doing so ensures teeth and gums are healthy.
Practice Dental Hygiene Early
Unfortunately, a higher percentage of kids suffer from tooth decay before they join pre-school. This number increases as the children get into adulthood.
The importance of teaching children healthy habits in childhood cannot be over-emphasized. Whether good or bad, habits that a child learns before the age of nine are hard to break. So, why not leverage these formative years and teach them all the basics of dental hygiene.
Lead by example. Kids tend to do as they see and not as they are told. Telling them to brush their teeth is not as effective as when they see you doing it. For children that may be resistant or forgetful, make it a fun activity. Purchase a cartoon-themed toothbrush and have a set time every day where you collectively brush your teeth. In a few short weeks, brushing will come automatically, a good habit that they take into adulthood.
Brush Twice And Floss Once Every Day
Dental associations recommend that the average person brush twice and floss once every day. Parents need to make sure that children brush in the morning and after dinner. For best results, it is advisable to floss at night before going to bed. Flossing gets rid of plaque and food stuck between the teeth and below the gum lines.
However, this is not set on stone. Dentists will tell their patients to brush after every meal or three times a day. For people that have dental implants installed, dentists from all on 4 dental implants Chicago advise that cleaning be also done twice daily. For overdentures, soaking them in cleaners for a specific time every day is recommended.
Too Much Starch And Sugar Are A NO-NO
Limiting sugar and starch intake is a common warning from parents that care about their children’s dental hygiene.
Sugar and starch are notorious for causing cavities. They also have far-reaching health implications that go beyond obesity. Even with brushing, excessive sugar and starch combine with bacteria and saliva, forming plaque that dissolves the enamel and causes cavities.
As such it is important for parents to teach their young ones the importance of staying away from sugary and starchy foods. Unfortunately, most parents tend to think that sweets and cookies are the main things that trigger tooth decay. Surprisingly, honey and other overly-sweet fruits such as raisins can do more harm than good.
The trick is to feed children with low-sugar fruits and vegetables. Melons and cucumbers are a great option. If they happen to eat high-sugar fruits like bananas, parents should make sure their kids brush their teeth immediately after the meal.
Handle Dental Problems As Early As Possible
Not everyone is lucky to be born with perfect teeth. As children grow, dental problems might arise, one of the most common problems being crooked teeth.
Crooked teeth can be a bummer, especially for older children. They can lead to low self-esteem among other issues. It is the reason why parents are advised to seek Invisalign for teens to help straighten their teeth in a more comfortable way, boosting their confidence.
Feed Them High-Calcium Foods
Being one of the most important minerals a body needs, feeding children with foods high in calcium should be the norm.
Calcium is needed for the squeezing and relaxing of muscles. However, its main aim in the body is to ensure the proper formation and growth of both the teeth and bones. Cheese, milk, and yogurt are some good sources of protein, things that children should consume regularly.
Use A Fluoride Toothpaste
The importance of fluoride cannot be over-emphasized. Fluoride toothpaste strengthens the enamel making teeth less likely to develop cavities. Fortunately, most mouth rinses in the market also contain fluoride.
However, when it comes to children’s dental hygiene, parents should use fluoride sparingly. When used excessively, fluoride can cause white spots to appear on a kid’s teeth, altering with their appearance.
Conclusion
If children are to enjoy full health, maintaining proper dental hygiene is imperative. It is by following the above-listed dental care basics that children’s teeth and gums remain healthy. Additionally, dental formulas preserve their appeal and functionality.
It is in the best interest of both the parent and children to keep their teeth safe and durable, to avoid cavities and in the worst-case scenario, the loss of teeth.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.