Dental health is an important concept to encourage children to develop. It must start at an early age. Maintaining good dental care early in life helps ensure continued tooth and gum health in the future. When it comes to dental hygiene for kids, you can never start too soon. The most basic elements of dental care are regular brushing and flossing, but it’s important that your children know effective dental hygiene techniques and have access to quality dental products. You should also try to make your children comfortable with visits to the dentist and routine dental cleanings. The earlier you start exposing them to good dental care, the more likely they will be to keep their beautiful smiles for life.
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Infant Dental Visits will help to…
Establish a dental “home” for your child, which is important when you have new concerns or emergencies.
Avoid anxiety. Children who begin regular dental visits at age 1 are less likely to have anxiety with future visits when compared to children who have their first visit at age 3 or older. Early dental visits can also reduce anxiety that parents may have related to their child’s oral care.
Lower oral health costs. Studies show that the dental costs for children who have their first dental visit be-fore age one are 40% lower in the first five years of life than for those who do not see a dentist before their first birth-day.
Reduce your child’s risk for cavities and improve oral health throughout childhood.
Here are some tips to keep kids’ teeth healthy and strong
0–2 years
- Wipe gums with a washcloth after feeding. This will help get rid of the sticky coating called plaque that can cause tooth decay.
- Brush teeth twice a day with water and a soft-bristle toothbrush.
- Schedule first dental appointment before first birthday.
3-5 Years
- Start using fluoride toothpaste at age 3
- Use only a pea-sized amount. Make sure your child spits it out after brushing.
- Try to break thumb-sucking and pacifier habits by age 4.
6–9 years
- Begin flossing as soon as teeth touch.
- Let your child know that it’s normal for baby teeth to fall out. That’s how “grown-up” teeth come in.
- Until children are able to practice proper oral health habits alone, parents should help their child brush and floss twice a day. Always pay special attention to the back teeth, which may have more plaque.
10–12 years
- Require children who play sports to wear a mouth guard to protect their smile.
13+ years
- Parents can make the most of their teen’s interest in how they look by reminding them that a healthy smile and fresh breath will help them look and feel their best.
http://www.dentalcare.com/en-US/dental-education/patient-education/children-english.aspx
