The job of a pediatric dentist in Zebulon is to take care of your child’s teeth and gums, but since your children only get to see them once every six months, the rest of the days of the year are your responsibility as a parent.
It may seem overwhelming initially, but over time and with constant practice, your children will be able to develop healthy habits that can become part of their lifestyle. We’re not going to lie; you will encounter challenges along the way but rest assured that there is always a solution to every problem.
Besides, if you need assistance and insight, you can always get in touch with your trusted pediatric dentist. What strategies can you use to ensure that your children will have healthy teeth and gums?
How to Teach Your Children About Prioritizing Their Oral Health
Share the Importance of Good Dental Hygiene Practices
Encouraging your child to practice good oral hygiene is one of the biggest challenges you’ll have to face as a parent, but if you get through this stage, the rest will be a breeze. As parents, you’d want to know how to convince your child to practice proper dental hygiene.
Generally, children can be stubborn and won’t always say yes to your pleas and demands. How do you get them to listen to you or, better yet, obey?
Dentists recommend you have a one-on-one discussion with your child to let them know why it is essential to take good care of their teeth and gums from a young age. Let them understand why prevention is better than cure.
Help your child understand that if they sacrifice two minutes to brush their teeth every day, it will already impact their oral health and prevent serious dental problems and complications in the future.
Once they know how critical oral care is, they’ll develop a different perspective about brushing and flossing, making it easier for them to comply.
Teach Them the Ideal Oral Care Routine
Knowing how to brush and floss is just step one. The second step is teaching them the importance of establishing an oral care routine. Ideally, your child should brush two times a day for two minutes. Adults must supervise children under ten years old.
It’s essential to be there when they brush and floss so you can teach them the proper ways of doing it. If they do it wrong, they could injure their teeth and gums.
Make Dental Care Enjoyable for Them
Sometimes you need to be extra creative, so your children look forward to their next brushing session. This is also why you need to be there with them while they clean their teeth because children tend to take shortcuts and may not even follow the techniques you taught them.
Pediatric dentists recommend you choose a two-minute song instead of a timer during brushing, so your children will know when it’s time to stop. Brushing for too long is counterproductive as it causes premature enamel erosion.
Introduce a Teeth-Friendly Diet
Food is an important factor that contributes to good oral health. Did you know that there are two different kinds of foods? They can either be good or bad for your teeth. If you want to keep your child’s teeth healthy, you should know what foods are good for them and refrain from buying foods that are detrimental to their oral health.
As much as possible, avoid foods and drinks high in sugars and acids like chocolates, cakes, candies, fruit juices, and sodas. Foods high in carbohydrates like snack bars, potato chips, and pastas should be enjoyed in moderation.
Instead of introducing your child to these foods, why not feed them healthier snack options like peaches, apples, nuts, and wholegrain cereals? Studies show that these foods help strengthen your teeth and protect them against enamel erosion.
Take Them to a Pediatric Dentist
Another vital thing to teach them is the value of dental visits. Take your child to a pediatric dentist once every six months or as prescribed to prevent tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
Dental visits can feel scary, especially for children, but there are ways to lessen their anxiety. We suggest you take them to a dental office as early as possible. Ideally, you take your child to the dentist when their first tooth erupts. The earlier, the better.
These visits also allow you to learn new strategies and techniques to improve your child’s oral health.
Are You Looking for a Pediatric Dentist in Zebulon?
A skilled and reliable pediatric dentist can help boost your child’s oral health in many ways. Pediatric dentists receive additional training and education, allowing them to specialize in your child’s dental health needs.
At Tyron Family Dentistry, we offer pediatric dental care to give your child a beautiful and healthy smile. We strive to treat our patients like they are our own family members with personalized dental care. Contact us today for an appointment.
