As a parent, you’re responsible for helping your child grow up to be happy and healthy. This includes doing everything you can to promote healthy smiles as they go through each developmental stage. Childhood oral care is crucial for preventing issues like malocclusion, cavities, and gum disease later on in life.
If you’re looking for ways to set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles for your child, keep reading to learn expert tips for helping your child develop good oral health.
1. Start Oral Care Early
It’s crucial to begin caring for your child’s oral health early — even before their teeth erupt. Clean your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth after each feeding.
When you begin oral care in the earliest developmental stages, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of good dental habits and healthy smiles. By reducing their risk of cavities, gum disease, and general discomfort, you’re doing their future selves a favor.
2. Establish Good Brushing and Flossing Habits
Once your child begins teething, brush their teeth with a soft-bristled baby toothbrush and kids’ toothpaste. As they become a toddler and begin to gain more independence, teach them the proper way to brush their teeth and help them practice. Encourage them to build a habit of brushing for two minutes, twice a day. You can even make oral hygiene fun with songs, timers, or reward charts.
Once your child’s teeth touch, introduce them to flossing — floss picks are much easier for children to use than traditional floss.
3. Discourage Thumb-Sucking
Many children suck their thumbs as a method of self-soothing. However, if the habit continues past age four, they may suffer from serious developmental side effects, including bite issues, crooked teeth, speech problems, sleep apnea, and more.
If your child doesn’t stop sucking their thumb on their own, you may need to intervene. Talk to your child’s dentist for recommendations. Whether you have your child wear mittens to bed, encourage other self-soothing methods, or implement a reward system, it’s essential to break this habit before they start losing their baby teeth.
4. Encourage a Tooth-Healthy Diet
Diet plays a significant role in children’s oral development, so it’s crucial to encourage a tooth-healthy diet and limit sugary snacks and drinks to help prevent cavities. Offer them water or milk instead of soda or juice. Offer them foods rich in calcium and vitamin D to ensure they develop strong, cavity-resistant teeth.
5. Schedule Regular Dental Visits
Regular dental visits are vital for ensuring your child’s teeth are developing normally. You should schedule your child’s first dental appointment by the time they turn one year old or within six months of their first tooth erupting. Starting early can help your child feel more comfortable at the dentist’s office and reduce dental anxiety as they age.
As your child grows, schedule routine checkups every six months to help with cavity prevention, allow early detection of potential issues, and address plaque and tartar buildup.
6. Seek Preventative Treatments
In addition to helping your child maintain a good oral hygiene routine at home, there are preventative treatments you can seek to further protect their oral health. Fluoride treatments, whether applied as a topical gel at the dentist’s office or administered daily as drops, strengthen enamel and prevent cavities. Dental sealants shield molars from decay, while custom mouth guards help protect their teeth during sports.
By talking to your child’s dentist about preventative care, you can save your child the discomfort of future oral health issues and save yourself the cost of treating them.
7. Teach Good Oral Health Habits Through Example
Children learn by watching their parents and participating in family routines. When you brush and floss your teeth together, you’re showing your child what it looks like to prioritize oral hygiene. Spending time together turns oral care into a positive bonding experience rather than simply a chore to get out of the way and helps them develop healthy habits.
Expert Family Dentistry by VIP Smiles
At VIP Smiles, we’re proud to provide exceptional dental care to every member of your family. By working together as a team — parents, children, and dental professionals — we can ensure your child’s oral health develops properly and their happy smiles last a lifetime. Schedule an appointment at our office today to make sure your child is on the right track.
