Get Your Kids’ Teeth Started Off on a Healthy Track in 2017

The beginning of the new year is a perfect time to start making changes for the better. If you have children, one great way to start the new year is by helping your kids learn the importance of good dental care. Check out these four things you can do to help your kids.

Visit the Dentist Regularly

As a parent, it’s important for you to take initiative for your child’s teeth by ensuring they visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and exams. It’s recommended that your child sees the dentist by the time their first tooth erupts or by the first year. Even if your child doesn’t have any pain or problems, early and routine visits to the dentist can help your family dentist spot any potential future problems. They may even be able to stop them from happening. Help your child understand the importance of going to the dentist by setting a good example and making an appointment for yourself, as well.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene at Home

Going to the dentist for regular cleanings is important, but they are not as important as daily, at-home hygiene. Ensure your children are brushing and flossing on a regular basis. If they are still young, you should be brushing their teeth for them, and once they start brushing on their own, continue to monitor them until you are positive they can brush correctly. Again, start by setting a good example. Brush and floss your own teeth on a regular basis. You can even make it a family event by brushing and flossing with your kids, so they see you do it and know it’s an important necessity.

Reduce Sugar Intake

It’s common to become addicted to sugary foods and drinks, especially soda. If you enjoy partaking in these types of treats, pay attention to your children because they may develop this same habit. It’s not fair to tell your child that they can’t eat sugar while you continue eating it. They do what you do, not what you say, and they’ll still learn the bad habit. Instead, work together as a family to reduce sugar intake. Healthy tips would be to cut out soda and cut back on the sweets. This will set a good example for your child that will stick into adulthood. It’s much harder to break a habit before it starts or just begins, than waiting until your child is an adult and used to these bad habits.

Consider Dental Sealants

Even if your child keeps their teeth clean and avoids lots of sugar, tooth decay can still happen. The back teeth are particularly a problem because they have narrow groves where plaque can hide. It may be difficult for the toothbrush to completely clean this area, leading to decay. Dental sealants are a temporary way to protect your teeth. Like sunscreen blocks dangerous UV rays from hitting your skin, dental sealants work as a barrier to protect your child’s teeth from sugar, plaque and bacteria.

It’s so important to help your child learn good dental habits now. If you fail to do so, you are putting them at a disadvantage. When they enter adulthood, they’ll have a harder time breaking these bad habits and may have to spend a lot of money having major work done to correct their teeth. Start now to give your child the best chance they have, and remember that it’s up to you to set a good example. For more information on how you can get your kid’s teeth started right, contact Landmark Dental Group today.