How to Promote Healthy Oral Habits in Children

Most parents struggle to determine how much dental care their children need. They know they must prevent cavities but don’t know how best to do it. If that’s you, don’t worry. Teaching your child to care for their oral health takes time and patience. According to BetterHealth.org, a child should be able to brush their teeth properly when they’re eight years old. Since oral health is a crucial link to your child’s overall health, here’s how you can promote healthy habits in them through your local dentist.

Advocate For Healthy Eating

Healthy oral habits start from consumption. Monitor what your child eats and limit sweets, biscuits, and chocolates as they can harm the teeth. Swap these with vegetables and fruits, which have nutrients to help fight bacteria and prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Snacks and sweets stick on the surface of the teeth, causing damage if ignored.

Encourage Them To Brush Their Teeth Twice A Day

You’ve heard your local dentist and other oral experts recommend brushing your teeth twice every day, particularly after meals. You must teach your child this early and ensure they brush their teeth for two minutes. You can use various methods to encourage your children to brush, including videos of other children brushing their teeth.

Floss At Least Once Everyday

Flossing is key to oral health for children. It helps eliminate plaque between teeth and under the gum line that a toothbrush can’t reach. Plague can build up every time due to lack of proper flossing and brushing. It is also one of the leading causes of tooth decay in children, so make flossing a priority. Flossing doesn’t have a specific time to do it, but flossing at night before brushing will eliminate all food particles, plaque, and bacteria.

Schedule Regular Visit To Your Local Dentist

A pediatric dentist is trained to handle children’s teeth as well as their oral needs. You may want to book an appointment for your child’s oral checkup to gain more insights about your child’s oral health. During regular exams, the dentist will check your child’s dental development and whether there are issues like cavities and other concerns. If they spot problems, they can fix them immediately. Start training your child to care for their teeth as early as now.

Leave A Comment