7 Little Changes That'll Make a Big Difference to Your Child's Teeth
When it comes to oral health, small changes make a big difference. There are little things you can do daily to improve the health of your child’s teeth. Having a clean mouth is not only important for dental health, but it helps a child be confident since they have fresh breath. Cavities can be painful and scary to have fixed. Here are seven small changes that will make a great difference in your child’s teeth.
1. No Night Bottles
For many children, one of the hardest things to get rid of is the night-time bottle. Slowly diluting the milk each night until it is pure water works very well. Eventually, the baby stops waking up since they are only getting water. Drinking milk throughout the night causes a child’s teeth to rot and have cavities. It is as if they never brushed their teeth. Avoiding night-time feeding is a great thing to do for healthy teeth.
2. Brush and Floss
Brushing and flossing are two of the most important things you can do for your child’s teeth. Brushing gets rid of any food and germs (plaque) on the teeth, gums and tongue. Flossing gets in between the teeth, where a brush cannot reach. You should brush at least twice a day, and floss once a day. For children under age 8, a parent should be brushing the teeth. If a child stays home with mom or dad, they can brush after each meal. This is a very good practice that makes sure all food is removed from the teeth right away.
3. Water
Drinking water is very important for the whole body. Many doctors recommend sipping on water throughout the day. Staying hydrated is very important for a busy, playing child. It is also good for the teeth because it rinses the mouth frequently. If your child drinks some milk, some of it may stick to the teeth and tongue. Sipping on water throughout the day rinses the teeth, leaving them clean. It is also good for freshening the breath. When your child feels fresh, they feel more confident!
4. Avoid Sugary Drinks
For a growing child, sodas and juices are not necessary. Sodas and juices have a lot of sugar and other chemicals that are not good for the body. Juice can be replaced by a fruit. Sugary drinks leave sugar on the teeth, which causes cavities. Some of the chemicals in a soda are strong enough to melt metal. You can only imagine how bad they are for the teeth. If you do allow a soda once in a while, using a straw and immediately brushing the teeth helps avoid cavities.
5. Visit The Dentist
A lot of children fear going to the dentist. There is no need to be afraid though because dentists are very friendly. Many offices are made for children to feel comfortable with very friendly staff. If a procedure may be painful, the dentist is sure to give plenty of numbing medication. A child’s comfort is one of the dentist’s main goals. They are also able to see if anything needs early treatment. This is better than waiting until a cavity has already formed. Having check-ups also teaches parents tips and tricks for cleaner teeth.
6. Have Fun
There are so many fun ways to have clean teeth. There are many interesting toothpastes to choose from, that can make brushing time fun. Some children like cool minty flavors that leave a tingling sensation. Others enjoy the fruity taste that is left behind by some toothpastes. No matter what toothpaste is used, you should always make sure your child spits it all out.
7. Electric
Using an electric toothbrush can be another way to make brushing exciting. Some brushes sing songs, vibrate in fun patterns and glow in the dark. Children love fun gadgets, so having one of these fun brushes may be a small, positive change. There are some brushes that have a built-in timer that goes off after a certain amount of time. This is a great way to make sure that the brushing was thorough.
There are many small changes a parent can help their child make. Small, consistent changes make a big difference. Since teeth are very important for eating, talking and many other things, they should be taken care of. Regularly brushing and flossing the teeth is the easiest way to have healthy teeth.
