Caring for Your Child’s Teeth: Dental Hygiene for Kids
Dental hygiene is just as important for kids as it is for adults. Forming good habits early is the best way to protect your child’s dental health. One of the best habits is scheduling regular dentist visits. Sunrise Dental of Glendale specializes in gentle dental care. Our friendly dentists will help you keep your kids and cavity-free and smiling bright.
Daily Brushing
Start early! It’s important for kids to learn good oral care habits before their permanent teeth develop. As soon as their first teeth come in, start brushing your child’s teeth twice a day. Use plain water until around age two, and then ask your dentist to recommend a good toothpaste.
Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste can help build strong tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Teach toddlers how to brush their own teeth, focusing on proper motions and length of time. Lots of kids will swallow toothpaste, so make sure they spit and rinse.
Nutrition and Hydration
Food and drink play a huge role in childhood dental health. Encourage your kids to drink lots of water—sugary drinks like fruit juice often contribute to early tooth decay. Cavity-causing bacteria love to eat sugar, but water helps rinse the bad bacteria away. Milk also helps build strong teeth by restoring calcium. If your child has a dairy allergy, look for calcium-fortified almond or oat milk. Munching on healthy snacks like apples and carrots helps break up plaque and stimulate saliva production.
Early Checkups
Regular dentist visits are another way to start developing great dental hygiene for kids. Baby teeth affect your child’s nutritional intake and speech development, so early checkups are very important. Making a first dentist visit before age two can also help to prevent some of the anxiety small children have about going to the dentist. In the weeks leading up to their first visit, you should read stories about going to the dentist or play pretend so that your child knows what to expect.
Dental Care for Kids in Peoria
Dental hygiene for kids is important to their health and development. At Sunrise Dental, we do our best to make visiting the dentist a positive experience for kids. We specialize in gentle dentistry, and our friendly dentists love making kids smile. Call us today at 623-487-4870 or visit our website to schedule your child’s next checkup.
Photo by Marisa Howenstine on Unsplash used under Creative Commons license for commercial use 12/22/2020.