What You Need to Know About Your Child’s Dental Health -

Your child’s dental health can be complicated. Especially if you didn’t have excellent oral hygiene growing up, you might find it challenging to set a good example and teach your child the right way to care for their teeth. Consider starting these habits from a young age to help your child grow into a healthy, happy adult.

Start a Brushing Routine Immediately

From a young age, your child should know how to brush their teeth. You can start building the habit when they’re very young by brushing debris away from their gums. This way, they’ll already feel acclimated to brushing their teeth once their first teeth break through. Starting a routine of brushing every night, and eventually, the morning, too, can set your kids on the right path to brushing as a routine habit that they don’t break.

Some Foods Should Be Avoided

Candy isn’t the only food that can cause cavities and tooth decay. As a parent, you should look out for signs that your child is drinking too much sugary juice. While juice can be a healthy substitute for something like soda, too much of it can increase a child’s chance of forming cavities. Fruit naturally contains sugar, and while fruit is preferable to gummy or sugar-heavy candy, you should still monitor their intake. Everything is excellent in moderation, even candy.

Flossing Is Essential

It isn’t enough for your child to just brush their teeth. They should also understand why flossing is important and how it can help their overall oral health. Flossing knocks loose the debris that is stuck between densely-packed teeth. Your child should aim to floss whenever they brush their teeth. Doing so will help them learn the whole process of taking care of their teeth — and free up any food that’s stuck in their mouth after a day of snacking.

You Are a Role Model

The most crucial thing to realize about your child’s dental health is that they will mimic your habits. If you have a poor brushing and flossing routine, your child may be less likely to do what you say. They may cite your behavior as a reason they don’t have to do something. If you practice better oral hygiene yourself, your child may follow suit and even want to brush their teeth with you.

Crowns Can Protect Teeth

Whether your child needs a root canal or just wants to improve the appearance of their teeth, crowns can help. Dental crowns can protect your child’s teeth from further harm if they’re broken or have been drilled. Crowns and bridges may seem intimidating at first, but they can mimic the appearance of natural teeth and provide a brighter smile. Putting a crown on a tooth may be an excellent option to keep your child’s mouth protected from further decay.

Cavities Can and Will Happen

You can’t easily avoid cavities, especially if you have a child with a sweet tooth. Cavities can and will happen, and even if you feed your kids no sugar, they’re bound to gain a cavity from somewhere or something in their diet.

Around 20% of all children have untreated cavities, so as soon as your child’s dentist detects a cavity, make an appointment to get it taken care of. Still, if your child has a cavity, you shouldn’t blame yourself. Cavities are bound to happen throughout your child’s life, even when they’re an adult. The best you can do is set a good example and allow them to be treated right away before they get worse.

What Insurance Can’t Cover

Most dental plans cover preventative maintenance and simple procedures like cavity fillings. However, certain operations can be more expensive than others and quickly exceed your yearly allowance from your dental insurance provider.

The best way to get around these costs is to take your child to the dentist regularly to catch issues before they become worse. A root canal can quickly add up and max out your allowance for the year. As such, treating cavities as they emerge and getting routine tooth cleanings can keep your insurance working for the long haul.

Your Child Needs Fluoride

Fluoride is often given a bad rap. Too much of it can be harmful, but fluoride is essential for tooth health, as it helps fortify the bones. That’s why toothpaste has fluoride in it — to help strengthen teeth. If your child needs an extra dose of fluoride, consider getting fluoride sealant applied at the dentist. This sealant usually goes on the back teeth, where some children have trouble reaching with their toothbrushes.

Drinking Tap Water Can Help

Water is the best drink for people of any age. It keeps you hydrated and is essential for life and the body’s primary functions. Some people may not trust tap water, but it could be better for your child than you think. Tap water can contain small amounts of fluoride, which can give your child’s dental health a boost, especially if they can’t use fluoride toothpaste or can’t reach every tooth.

Visit a Dentist Regularly

The best way to catch minor issues before they become full-blown problems is to take your child to the dentist regularly. Tulsa County parents often check out this family dentist in Bixby so their child can get the right dental care. Try to take your child to the dentist at least twice a year for a regular check-up and cleaning. That way, dentists should detect any issues before they start growing or multiplying.

Your child’s first dentist visit should be somewhere between six months to a year after they’re born. Taking them to the dentist early in their life can help you get a benchmark on their health and get you into the routine of taking them.

Dentistry Can Be Tricky

It can be challenging to get your kid to feel enthusiastic about going to the dentist. Like with the doctor, many kids have adverse reactions going to places for their well-being. All you can do is encourage them to have good habits from home so they won’t have to worry about any procedures — but even then, you should educate them on the fact that their dentist will know best and take care of them.