Dental Hygiene: Best Way To Care for Your Child's Teeth

You get two sets of teeth during your lifetime. Unfortunately, you lose the first set by the time you are 12-years-old, you will have lost all your first teeth. That means, your adult teeth need to survive from when you are a teenager to old age!

The best thing you can do is to learn to take care of your teeth from a young age, this will increase the likelihood of you looking after your teeth throughout life.

Regular Dental Check-Ups

You need to find a reputable pediatric dentist Sydney and take your child regularly to see them. That means at least once a year. They will be able to assess any issues, advise regarding treatments, such as braces, and they will help ensure teeth are healthy.

This is something you need to continue throughout life. But, by taking your child to the dentist regularly you will be ensuring that they don’t have a fear of the dentist and this will help their teeth to stay as healthy as possible.

Avoid Sugars

It is impossible to avoid all sugar, it is in almost everything you eat! In addition, sugar is necessary to give your body energy. But, sugar also reacts with bacteria in your mouth to create acid which attacks the hard enamel coating on your teeth. This takes time and regular brushing can prevent the damage.

But, it can also help to minimize sugar intake, specifically, avoid snacking between meals.

Brush Daily

You should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. It is also a good idea to floss once a day and use mouthwash to help ensure your mouth has been properly rinsed.

You can do this for young children and gradually change to supervising them before allowing them to do their teeth themselves. Creating the habit when they are young will help to ensure they continue it throughout life.

To help with this you should do the following:

• Let children choose their own toothbrush
• Allow them to put the toothpaste on themselves
• Use a timer or song to ensure they brush for two minutes
• Consider rewards for good brushing, but don’t make it something sugary.

Check Fluoride In The water

Many places are required to add fluoride to the water supply. It has been shown to help strengthen teeth and bones, it is particularly good at hardening existing enamel.

It’s worth checking your water supply to ensure there is fluoride in it. If there isn’t, talk to your dentist about an appropriate supplement to ensure your child’s teeth are getting the best possible assistance.

Just remember, children (and adults) should never swallow toothpaste, it can be harmful to your health. It is for brushing only.

Avoid Thumb Sucking

When your child is very young thumb sucking is generally not seen as an issue. However, this should stop by the time they are four. If it doesn’t your child is likely to have alignment issues and may need a brace or other dental assistance.