How Parents Can Help Prevent Tooth Decay

Children, like adults, deserve optimal dental care. As a parent, it is natural to worry about every little thing about your child. Unfortunately, when it comes to oral health, parents only get concerned when there is a problem. This is unfortunate since is only gives dentists in Glendale Pediatric Dentistry more work to do, which should not be the case.

The oral health of your child should start mattering to you as soon as your child starts feeding on foods other than breastfeeding or formula. If you are just learning this, read in to find out the various ways you should be participating in the oral health of your child.

More About Pediatric Dental Health

Specialists in dentistry that cater to dental problems for children are called pediatric dental experts. These persons are versed in children’s teeth through the different stages of growth and development. Trusting a pediatric dentist to care for your kid’s oral health, therefore, should not be a big deal to you.

However, it is not wholly up to dental experts to figure out the health of your child. Having that you spend more than 90% of the time with your child, it is certain that you should be more involved in the oral health of your child than a dentist.

Why Does Pediatric Dental Health Matter?

Sustaining excellent oral health for your family should also include the children in the household. Some of the reasons why you must be involved in your child’s oral health include the following:

1. They need to learn – everything you know was taught to you. In the same breath, unless you teach your child on proper oral health, they may never learn to take good care of their oral cavities.
2. For overall health – the mouth may be the first contact point for foods, but it is not the last. Things that go through the mouth make way to other parts of the body, making oral health that much more important.
3. They are prone to oral cavities – as soon as your child activated the sweet buds, it takes a lot of work to restrain them from always eating candies and sugary candies. All these foods increase the risks of dental cavities and tooth decay. 6-14 year-aged children are more prone to cavities than other kids.
4. Children are never careful – as your child masters mobility of ligaments and uses of different muscles in the body, accidents are bound to happen. Other than that these little humans are not particularly careful with their teeth.
5. Breaking bad habits is hard – if you don’t take notice of the habits your child is picking up, then you may have to go through the tough process of breaking bad oral habits.

How Can You Get Involved?

There are tons of ways you can actively be part of the oral health journey of your child. The tips will differ depending on the age of your child.

1. Brushing twice every day – make a routine for you and your child to brush teeth every morning and at night before sleep. This also creates extra bonding time for you and your child.
2. Buy fluoride toothpaste – fluoride is a natural element that is present in toothpaste. It is a great element for strengthening the enamel of teeth as well as fighting oral cavities.
3. Flossing regularly – this step can be reinforced in stages as your child gets older.
4. Choosing food items – you have to be intentional about setting healthy boundaries when it comes to foods your child eats. While candies and cookies are fun to eat, they deteriorate oral health and cause dental cavities. Find a balance between sugary foods and healthy meals for your child.
5. Get dental sealants – after doing the best you can at home, get reinforcement from dental appliances. Dental sealants are great for fighting oral cavities for back teeth.
6. Visiting the dentist – make regular trips to your dentist with your child. The visits are very helpful, especially when it comes to dental exams and cleanings. Besides, now and then, you will require the involvement of a dental expert in the dental health of your little one.