When should I schedule my child’s first visit to the dentist? When will my child be able to brush on his or her own? How can I tell if my child needs braces?
As a parent, it isn’t always easy judging the amount of dental care your child needs. But with the help of a family dentist in Woburn that specializes in dentistry for kids, you can ensure your child gets the best dental care for his or her teeth at every stage of development.
From when to schedule a first visit to good brushing habits and proper nutrition, parents can talk to their dentist about how to best care for their child’s teeth and gums.
When should I start taking my child to the dentist?
According to the
American Dental Association, parents should bring their child in for his or her first dental appointment before their first birthday. This allows the dentist to identify problems early and make recommendations for the best possible prevention and treatment. Many dentists specialize in treating the teeth and gums of little ones, and are best equipped to make your child feel comfortable at each and every appointment.
At the first visit, the parent and dentist can review important dental health information such as diet, tooth brushing, bottles and fluoride use. Not to mention that starting dental care early will help your child become comfortable with his or her dentist while establishing good dental health habits with each and every appointment.
Establish Good Brushing Habits
Just as daily oral hygiene is important for adults, it is as equally important for children. Because children have less motivation and focus to care for their teeth and gums, however, incorporating proper brushing into a child’s every day routine can be difficult.
Start practicing good dental care early, generally around six months when a child’s first teeth start coming in. Try to make the process fun by doing it together. And continue to provide supervision and help your child brush and floss until they are responsible and mature enough to do it properly on their own.
A lot has been said about superiority of electric toothbrusher over the manual ones. It's a well known fact that most kids have a hard time achieving a perfect brushing technique and this is the area where electric toothbrushes shine. They are much less prone to the brushing technique and this is especially helpful when it comes to children. But be aware that some electric toothbrushes aren't designed for children, so it's important to find an electric toothbrush for kids. A nice example is the
Sonicare for kids.
Fighting Cavities with a Healthy Diet
Finally, just as brushing is important for reducing decay, good nutrition and healthy teeth also go hand in hand. A healthy, well-balanced diet supplies your child with the essential nutrients they need to grow, including the strong development of teeth and gums.
Improve your child’s calcium intake to build strong teeth and prevent cavities. And limit your child’s sugar intake, including candies, sodas, juices and other sweets. Additionally, talk to your child’s dentist about their fluoride ingestion- a key way to prevent cavities.
Taking your child to your a dentist at an early age is the best way to instill good dental health habits and implement preventative treatment so that it carries over into adulthood. Combined with proper brushing and healthy eating, you can help promote healthy teeth and gums for your child.
