Dental health is an important aspect of children’s overall health and well-being. February is Children’s Dental Health Month. Teaching your children healthy dental habits at a young age will help them maintain good oral health for the rest of their lives. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for teaching your children healthy dental habits.

Children’s Dental Health Month: Healthy Dental Habits for Children

Kids will have a much easier time caring for their teeth into adulthood when they learn healthy dental habits from a young age. Here are some tips for teaching children proper oral hygiene:

• Brush in the morning and at night. This is when your child’s mouth is most susceptible to cavities from food particles left in the mouth after eating snacks throughout the day. Make sure to brush your child’s teeth for at least two minutes in the morning and before bed every night after brushing their teeth in the morning.
• Use toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride is an important mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent dental cavity formation. Kids should use no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Look for a toothpaste with fluoride as its active ingredient.
• Avoid sugary snacks and drinks. Dental cavities are caused by the bacteria in your child’s mouth feeding on sugars they eat throughout the day. The longer food particles remain in their mouth, the more likely they will cause cavities if they haven’t been brushed away before they are eaten. Limit sugary snacks and drinks to meal times only.
• Brush your child’s teeth for them. Letting your child take care of their own oral hygiene is a great way for them to learn responsibility. However, until they are old enough to do it properly, you should be assisting and supervising them. It’s important that you teach them how to brush their teeth properly so they can avoid brushing too hard or using too much toothpaste.
• Don’t forget to floss! Properly removing food particles from between your child’s teeth will go a long way in preventing cavities. Flossing also removes plaque and tartar buildup which could lead to gum disease and cavities.
• Visit your pediatric dentist regularly. It’s important to establish a relationship with your child’s pediatric dentist as early as possible so they can develop proper dental health habits and avoid serious problems down the road. These visits should occur at least once every six months for cleanings and check-ups.

Children’s Dental Health Month: When to Schedule Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment

Around their first birthday is a good time to schedule your child’s first dentist appointment, especially if you have yet to find a pediatric dentist near you. A good guideline to go by is that your child should first visit the dentist when they get their first tooth in, or when they turn one year old — whichever happens first. This will provide them with the opportunity to establish a relationship with their new dentist before they have any cavities or other problems that may need treatment. Further, this will help them feel comfortable going to the dentist from a young age.

The Most Common Dental Health Problems in Children

The biggest dental health concern in children is the risk of cavities. 42% of children from the ages of 2 to 11 will experience a cavity. This is because their teeth are still developing. As mentioned above, it’s important to limit sugary snacks and drinks in order to keep cavities at bay. It’s also important to teach kids good brushing techniques so they can properly clean their teeth.

Babies also are at risk for tooth decay due to their exposure to bottles or sippy cups at bedtime. Sipping juice and milk (or other liquids) throughout the night creates an environment where bacteria can thrive. This causes cavities and tooth decay, often known as baby bottle tooth decay. Bedtime exposure should be limited to water only. Also, it’s a good idea to clean your baby’s gums after feedings with a clean, damp cloth. Doing so can help protect them from cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth.

Make an Appointment with Premier Dentistry of Eagle for Children’s Dental Health Month

When you’re ready to find the best family dentist near you, call Premier Dentistry of Eagle at (208) 546-0655. We’re here for your entire family right here in Eagle! Children’s Dental Health Month is a great time to schedule the family for a checkup. We’ll see you soon!