Oral health has been tied closely to the overall health of our body. Here's how visiting a kid's dentist regularly can keep your child healthy and happy.
Oral care should begin with the very first tooth that grows in your child’s mouth. Even though they will eventually fall away to make space for the permanent teeth, even baby teeth can decay and cause a host of problems, including:
- Difficulty chewing, eating, and sleeping
- Gum disease and inflammation
- Painful teeth and gums
- Embarrassment when talking and smiling
Affordable Children’s Dentistry in Calgary
At Marlborough Dental Centre, we offer a wide range of family dental care, including senior and children’s dentistry services. Our qualified dentists are experienced in working with kids, providing dental exams, extractions and Invisalign to give your little one the beautiful, healthy smile they deserve!
4 Tips For Keeping Your Child’s Teeth Healthy
A healthy mouth and teeth are an important part of a child’s wellness. By starting dental care early, you can keep your child’s teeth healthy and prevent him/her from getting tooth decay, which can lead to pain, discomfort and trouble concentrating at school.
Don’t know where to start? Here are four simple tips from our Calgary kids dentist:
1. Visit a Children’s Dentist
The American Dental Association recommends that a child’s first visit should be when their first tooth erupts in the mouth and NO LATER than age two. This first visit accomplishes many things and allows the kids dentist to:
- Do a quick examination and look for tooth decay
- Check your child’s gums, jaw and bite
- Keep an eye out for bottle caries, frenum issues or other problems that could affect teeth or speech patterns
- Answer any questions you have about good oral hygiene practices for your child
From the first visit onward, most dentists suggest that children come in every six months, unless an urgent issue comes up that needs correcting, such as a lisp, teeth grinding or mouth breathing.
2. Teach Good Oral Habits
Good oral habits are important from the get-go. Before your baby has teeth, you can gently brush his/her gums. Do this by using water on a baby toothbrush or clean the gums with a soft washcloth.
Oral Care Tips From a Calgary Kid's Dentist
- When your baby’s teeth appear, brush twice a day with an infant toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.
- Start flossing when two of their teeth touch each other. Ask your children’s dentist about the proper technique.
- Brush and floss just before bedtime. After that, don’t give your child anything to eat or drink, except water, until the next morning.
3. Cut Back on Sticky Foods
What your child eats affects his/her teeth. Too many carbohydrates, sugar and starches can cause tooth decay. The main risk for decay? How long food particles remain on the teeth.
That’s why it’s important to limit, or completely avoid sticky or chewy food for your children. This includes raisins, jelly beans, honey, caramel, and granola bars, which tend to stick to the teeth and make it difficult for the saliva to wash the sugar away.
DENTISTRY TIP: If your child does consume these type of products, make sure (s)he brushes their teeth immediately after.
4. Stand Firm on Brushing, Flossing and Rinsing
It is normal for children to put up a fuss when it comes time to brush and floss, but it’s important to never let them off the hook! Make it clear they they don’t have a choice. Some tips to coax a reluctant child to brush his/her teeth include:
- Be patient. Kids can start brushing their teeth with the help of a grown-up from around 2-3 years, but they may not be ready to do it alone until the age of 6. It can take until around the age of 10 for children to perfect their flossing skills.
- Don’t wait until late in the evening. If your child is tired, you may not get much cooperation when brushing or flossing, so remember to start before it is too close to bedtime.
- Motivate them. Using motivating tools such as a sticker, gold star, or chart are great ways to encourage good oral care! You may even want to make it a group activity, since some kids may be more likely to join in if they see their parents brushing.
Call Today
To find out more about our affordable children’s dentistry services and how our kids dentists can help keep your little one’s teeth and gums healthy, contact our Calgary dental clinic at 403-248-2066 or fill in our online contact form.
