As important it is for adults to maintain dental hygiene, kids are no too far from the risk. Oral hygiene and health can determine several factors about overall health in the long run. Regardless of whether you require periodontal cleaning, teeth replacement, root canal; the root of all issues begins with dental hygiene. Therefore, a child’s dental routine becomes all the more important to prevent severe issues in the long run.
Take a look at the most important tips and factors to establish healthy habits for a child to maintain dental health.
The two-minute rule
Dentists at a dental care Houston recommend that a two-minute tooth-brushing session would prevent a lot of risk factors related to poor oral health. Healthy habits begin from small changes and brushing for at least two minutes would establish a good dental routine for the kids. A great way to follow this tip is by brushing along with your child so that they learn how important it is to brush for a longer period. Praising this habit in the initial years would help them abide by this tip for life.
Flossing
Flossing is usually not introduced to children until they are in their late teens. Contrary to popular opinion, if you introduce them to flossing at an early age they are more likely to make it a habit for life. This is why many adults do not floss. Teaching your kids to floss regularly as a part of their dental hygiene routine is significant to maintain good oral health. This would require adult supervision as it would be risky for them to floss alone.
Reduce sugar
Childhood is incomplete without candies and other sweet beverages and food items. Therefore, removing sweet items from the diet is not the solution. Instead, reduce the excessive sugar intake. By making them aware of the risk factors involved by consuming too much sugar would be a good start. Children’s teeth are much more prone to cavities and therefore no amount of good habits would protect the teeth from a regular sugar diet. Make sure to keep track of their sugar intake and introduce these food items and beverages as occasional treats rather than a mid-meal binge.
Regular brushing
Pandemic has us all stuck in our homes and for kids, every day seems like a vacation. This not only drifts them apart from their routine life but also deviates them from following good habits. Things like sleeping and waking up late could catch up on their oral health as it is convenient for them to skip brushing every day. Parents can introduce brushing to them through fun activities and by enlightening them about the importance of brushing regularly. Kids should inculcate regular brushing just like playtime and they should be taught well right from the beginning. As long as a toothpaste does not contain high levels of fluoride, you could introduce them to several flavored/colored toothpaste— anything that makes them want to brush regularly.
Rinsing
Although mouthwash is not recommended for children they should include rinsing their mouth after every meal. To rinse after brushing is important but to rinse after meals should also be taught to them. Regardless of whether they are at school, sleepovers, or camps, mouth rinsing should remain a habit. This would not only help them get rid of the tiny food particles but also keep the mouth fresh.
Diet
It has already been advised to abstain from excessive sugar intake but a sufficient amount of calcium must be included in the diet to keep the bones and teeth strong throughout childhood and beyond. It is the key contributor to maintaining oral health. Ensure that your child is getting enough calcium by including dairy products in their diet like cheese, yogurt, milk, etc. if they are lactose intolerant or the household follows a plant-based diet then consult a Houston dentist for a multivitamin or a calcium supplement so that their daily calcium intake is fulfilled. Including fiber-rich foods would help a great deal for the kids to maintain dental health.
Dental visits
The idea should be to normalize visiting the dentist for children. Regular dental check-ups for children are a must as they could prevent several other health ailments. Like most adults, kids also assume the worst from dental clinics and therefore dental visits should be made a part of a fun-filled day so that the fear of dental appointments does not develop. The phobia of dental visits comes only when you are taken to the dentist in case of emergencies and therefore kids must be taken to the best dentist in Houston TX to have them acquainted with specialists in the form of regular check-ups.
A good dental routine is an indication of a healthy life and it must start from a young age. Teaching your kids to take care of their teeth at an early age would maintain their oral health for life.
