Very Healthy

Getting your kids to do anything they don’t like is trying to hike Mt. Vesuvius everyday in the morning, but it can be done if you are a little patient and proactive. One such odious task is to get your kids to develop a healthy oral hygiene regime. Kid’s dental care done if you start early and make it a habit for your children to follow.

To begin with your kid’s dental care you need to set an example. If you don’t brush your teeth and floss them twice a day then your children will not follow suit. If your children see the positive effect good oral habits have then they will be tempted to follow suit. You need to start oral habit from a tender age of 1. Take your child for his or her first dentist’s appointment early, so that they start getting comfortable with the dentist.

For infants the best dental care tip is to not let them go to bed with a bottle in their mouth. The milk left in their mouth for an excess time can quicken bacterial growth and weaken the enamel of the teeth. When babies start teething they also start sucking on their thumb in order to relieve some of the irritation in the gums and this can cause the teeth to start moving forwards which then requires braces when they grow up. You can prevent this from becoming a habit by using teething rings. You could also refrigerate them to make them colder which further offers relief from the gum irritation.

One of the most important tips you can inculcate into your kids dental care is to rinse their mouth after eating or drinking anything with sugar in it. Rinsing your mouth after every meal ensures there are no particles of food stuck in between the teeth where the largest numbers of cavities are found. You also need to get the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your kids. Toothbrushes with “m” shaped bristles are the best. Teach your child to brush for at least 2 minutes. Ask them to brush in circular motions as this helps protect the enamel which is the tooth’s protective cover. The circular motion also increases blood circulation to the gums, which in turn prevents gingivitis and other diseases of the gums. Toothpaste containing fluoride is the best as it is vital in preventing cavities and removing plaque which is a layer of bacteria that gets formed on your teeth.

Make dental care a fun time. You can do this by brushing your teeth with your child which takes on the form of a ritual or bonding experience. If your child has siblings then they can brush their teeth together. Teach your child to clean their tongue with their toothbrushes. This removes the film of bacteria on their tongues which is infamous for causing bad breath. Children below the age of 15 are too young to use tongue cleaners so the toothbrush works just fine. You can teach your kids to floss as well, just make sure they know the proper technique before you allow them to do it on your own. Improper technique of flossing can cause the gums to bleed which can lead to other complications.

Try and avoid allowing children to eat hard candy, too many processed foods, aerated drinks, etc. All of these products are banes of healthy teeth and a favourite of the tooth fairy. The carbonated water in aerated drinks has been show to increase the rate of tooth decay and as children’s teeth are very sensitive and their enamels very soft they should avoid such drinks. Reward your child every time they choose a carrot stick over a candy, this will let them know their efforts are being appreciated.

Kid’s dental care habits instilled early in life can go a long way, avoiding unnecessary dentist trips and expenses.