If you go to a children’s dentist in Toronto you will likely be told that your kid really needs to take care of their teeth early on. The advice may seem common sense, but it is worth repeating. And while it may seem clear that children should brush their teeth and stay away from sweets, getting them to listen to you and follow your lead may be a little challenging. The tips below should help you create a good rapport with your little one and support them in taking care of their oral health in the long term.
BRUSH THEIR TEETH
The best way to get your child to be excited about brushing their teeth is by letting them have some creative control. Let them pick out their toothbrush and toothpaste. They should smell the toothpaste tubes to make sure they like the smell and texture of the toothpaste (if touching the toothpaste is an option). Of course, if there are toothpastes or brushes that you don’t think are acceptable for other health reasons, just don’t show your child those options.
Smile and make it fun for them by playing the ‘tooth-brushing game’ with them every morning until they get into the habit. Tell them how great everyone looks when they have a great smile to show off and that achieving that smile will be through the ‘tooth-brushing game.’
Turn on some music, maybe dance around, and smile warmly into the mirror during these interactions. Some children’s dentists in Toronto also recommend supervising your kids while they brush until they are about eight years old.
Additionally, children’s dentists in Toronto recommend getting kids into the habit of brushing their teeth should start at about two years of age.
FLOSS THEIR TEETH
Get your child to floss right after they brush, at least once a day. Of course, this may not be possible for some time, considering that your child might not have enough teeth to stick a piece of floss in between. However, getting into the habit early on will go a long way later on in their life and yours.
Children tend to listen better when their favourite characters tell them to do something habit-forming. So look up a YouTube video with Elmo brushing his teeth and watch the cartoon with your child.
You can be creative and tell fun stories about tooth brushing in the bathroom while your child is brushing their teeth. Try to keep it to a few minutes in length so the story finishes when your kids finish brushing. If you’re very creative, start a story that’s a mini-series so the kids have to wait until the next time they brush their teeth for a continuation.
And if creativity isn’t your strong suit, no worries, there are plenty of self-help videos and storytellers online. Just find a couple of good sources and copy them.
ENSURE REGULAR TEETH CLEANINGS
Whether you are a naturalist or strongly believe in getting cleanings at the children’s dentist in Toronto, make sure you stick to a regular regimen that will keep your child’s whites bright and shiny.
Children’s dentists in Toronto say that regular teeth cleaning can prevent cavities by lifting layers of plaque that inevitably builds up. Without regular cleanings, gum disease may also advance to unparalleled levels and a tooth may be lost. Some studies even say that oral health is interrelated with overall health, citing that the risk for heart disease is reduced when oral health is good.
In the long run, regular cleanings theoretically should save you a moderate sum of money by not forcing you to shell out on serious dental work for your child. Instead, you will spend smaller increments on the regular basis for dental upkeep.
If you are a naturalist, regular cleaning with diluted amounts of baking soda, coconut oil pulling, charcoal cleanses, and turmeric powder should do the trick.
PROMOTE PROPER DIET
Maintaining a proper diet for your child is so important for overall health, as well as dental health. Make sure your son or daughter is getting plenty of leafy greens in their diet. They are rich in calcium, phosphorous, and folic acid. Seafood, milk, yogurt, fish (especially cod liver oil), and cheese are also excellent choices. Nuts, seeds (pumpkin), Brazil nuts, eggs, and broth are good sources of phosphorous. Crunchy and soft veggies and fruits are worthy sources of vitamin C, vitamin D, and various antioxidants.
KEEP SUGAR AWAY
It is common sense to avoid excessive sugar intake in order to evade all sorts of problems with your general and dental health. It is especially important to keep sugar away from kids who are growing a healthy set of teeth.
Sugary foods, juices, candy (especially sticky candy) will erode the enamel of your child’s teeth and cause cavities. Help them develop a habit of brushing their teeth or at least rinsing after eating a dessert.
It is OK for a child to have a sugary treat once in a while – perhaps twice a week – but definitely not every day. It is important to introduce kids to addictive substances like sugar, because they will be exposed to them at some point regardless of how hard you try to prevent it. You want to familiarize them with the substance in a controlled and safe environment, where you know they will not binge on it. Offer natural sugars like fruit (not fruit juices) in place of pure or processed sugar in the form of candy and juices and sodas.
VISIT LOCAL CHILDREN’S DENTIST
Most experts recommend getting your child to visit the dentist by their first birthday. The ‘early on approach’ will help the children’s dentist in Toronto determine potential issues your child may have, take a close look at the jaw and mouth, and give recommendations on proper brushing techniques, flossing, and food intake.
If there are specific irregularities, it is important that they are caught early on and the children’s dentist in Toronto will recommend a visit to a specialist like an orthodontist or an oral surgeon.
It is also a good idea to see a dentist who specializes in treating children specifically. They will have had the experience and knowledge to give the best care possible.
Children’s dentists recommend making an appointment with them every six months and not neglecting those visits.
