Kids' Dental Care: 5 Tips For New Parents

Did you know that over 13% of American children between the ages of 5-19 have dental cavities? That's a lot of aching teeth!

Cavity pain is often mild but it can also be excruciating as the cavity eats away the protective enamel of the tooth. It's important to get a jump start on kids' dental care by teaching them healthy habits while they're young.

Are you wondering what's necessary when it comes to kids' dental health? Here are five tips for kids' oral health you need to know now.

1. Start Brushing Early

Before your infant even has teeth, you should start a brushing routine. Take a damp washcloth and run it over the baby's gums. This helps rid the mouth of harmful bacteria.

Once your baby has teeth, use an infant toothbrush with a tiny bit of toothpaste. Make sure the toothpaste has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal and only use the size of a grain of rice when brushing. It's important the baby not swallow the toothpaste, even if you're using non-fluoridated toothpaste.

2. Establish a Flossing Routine

Flossing is important to maintaining healthy teeth. As soon as your baby has two teeth that touch, start flossing. Make it a game so your child sees flossing as a fun routine.

When plaque is left between the teeth, it hardens into tartar. Tartar is hard to clean and causes gingivitis. Flossing between the teeth helps remove plaque before it turns into tartar.

3. Start Dentist Visits Early

When it comes to dental care for kids, start oral care for your kids by their first birthday. Wondering how to find a pediatric dentist? Click for more.

At the first visit, the dentist explains proper brushing and does a short exam, usually while your baby sits in your lap. This helps your child adjust to the dentist and helps the dentist spot any early issues.

4. Limit Sweets

When it comes to kids' oral health, one of the most important things is limiting sweets. Sugar is terrible for the teeth and causes cavities.

Limiting sugar doesn't only mean limiting candy, ice cream, and desserts, it also means limiting juice. Most juice isn't healthy because it's full of added sugars. Children don't need juice, and juice in a child's bottle is a big reason for childhood cavities.

Instead of juice, offer fresh fruit. It's much healthier and doesn't have any added sugars - only nature's sugar! Start your kids on healthy snacks such as fruits and veggies.

5. Fluoride

Fluoride helps toughen tooth enamel. The enamel is the outer coating of the tooth. Many towns have fluoridated water but if you're only using purified bottled water, your child isn't getting enough fluoride.

Talk to your dentist about fluoride supplementation. Be aware that too much fluoride causes discoloration of the teeth so be sure and consult your child's dentist.

The Importance of Kids' Dental Care

Kids' dental care is crucial. Poor oral care leads to cavities, gum disease, and unsightly teeth. You want your child to have a beautiful smile, so take care of your child's oral health.

Looking for more good child care advice? There are lots of articles on the blog!