Many parents want their children to develop healthy dental habits. Caring for your teeth is an important skill and one that will benefit children throughout their lives. It is important they understand how to do it properly to prevent problems. Here are 10 tips to help keep your family’s teeth healthy and strong for life.
- Brush Twice and Floss Once Every Day
You’ve heard the same advice since you were a child, and it is still true today. The best way to care for your family’s teeth is to make sure they brush twice a day and floss every day. Flossing gets in between teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach.
Make going to a dental office in Burlington a habit — regular cleaning keeps plaque and gum disease away and helps to prevent tooth decay.
- Find A Dental Routine and Stick To It
Kids thrive with a routine. It helps them feel confident when they know what to expect and helps them develop skills because they understand what they have to do. Plus, it becomes second nature and before long they will be the ones to remind you to brush. Create a dental routine that works for your family and stick with it.
- Make Dental Care Fun
Make brushing and flossing a game! If you’ve ever wanted to perfect your pirate voice, now is the perfect time to try. Pretend to be a pirate and “Search for gold” in your child’s teeth. “Arrr!” There are also lots of fun options for kids toothbrushes with their favourite characters on them, that light up, vibrate and play music. Let them pick their favourite one and get in on the fun.
- Brush and Floss Together
Kids are also more likely to want to brush and floss if they see you doing it too. Rather than nagging about brushing before bed, get your own toothbrush out and show them how it’s done. Your kids can learn from your technique and even help you find any “bits of gold” you may have left behind in your teeth.
- Start Early
Just because they don’t have teeth doesn’t mean they are too young to learn about dental health. Even before babies have teeth to brush you can get them used to cleaning their gums or the one tooth they have. It is also recommended to go for a dental checkup at Galloro Dental Summerhill around the age of two to make sure those new teeth are coming in well.
- Eat Healthily
Fresh fruits and vegetables are good for growing bodies and for growing teeth. Foods high in vitamins like calcium, magnesium and potassium help grow strong bones and healthy teeth.
- Keep Your Regular Dental Checkups
Now that COVID-19 restrictions are starting to lift it is a good idea to get your family in for their regular dental cleanings. Regular checkups help your dentist spot any problems early on, before they turn into larger ones. They can also make sure your child’s teeth are growing strong and healthy. If you have any questions about how appointments work during COVID, just contact Dr. Pamela Li Cosmetic & General Dentist.
- Wear Mouthguards for Sports
With your family caring for their teeth by brushing and flossing, it is also important to protect them during sports or physical activities. Bumps, falls and bangs can happen to anyone, and injuries are a large cause of missing and broken teeth. They can also lead to brain and neck damage. A good call is to wear a mouthguard during sports or activities such as skateboarding and climbing.
- Use a Fluoride Toothpaste
Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is important for maintaining your family’s tooth enamel and for fighting off tooth decay. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and helps to strengthen tooth enamel. Look for a toothpaste that has fluoride for the most benefit.
- Limit Sugary Foods
Sugary foods are magnets for harmful bacteria that live in your mouth. They love to attach the sugars left behind and turn them into acid and plaque, which can attach your gums and erode your tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay. If your family does enjoy the occasional sugary treat, be sure to brush right after to protect those teeth.
Leave a Reply