As a parent in Ontario, you might not be aware of the risks to your child’s smile. Did you know that cavities are the most common disease for children in Canada? Over 50% of children end up with tooth decay by age 12.
It’s an alarming statistic. After all, we need our teeth for decades to come!
The consequence of poor dental health isn’t pretty. Painful cavities, bad breath, self-esteem, even education implications. Dental issues are the leading cause of children missing school.
The good news is: most dental problems are preventable. It simply requires proper care and habits. With the simple tips below, you can set your child up for a life of healthy, happy teeth to show off with a beaming smile.
Start Early
Getting your child used to brushing their teeth immediately is the key to helping prevent tooth decay and gum disease in the long term. It’s the foundation setting them up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
You can even begin softly cleaning gums with a soft cloth before their first tooth appears. At around six months, a baby's teeth usually start to appear. It’s important to get your baby used to the sensation of brushing your teeth, although don’t worry too much if you struggle at first.
Use a rice-grain-sized amount of toothpaste for children under three on a soft baby toothbrush. Or a pea-sized amount for children over 3. Brush in small circles across all surfaces and encourage them to spit out the toothpaste when finished.
Gradually brush your child’s teeth more thoroughly, at least twice a day - in the morning and just before bed.
Often, children won’t enjoy having their teeth brushed, so you might need patience.
Establish Routine
Routines are powerful for habit formation. If you make brushing teeth a habit for your children, it is likely to stick for the rest of their lives. In the hustle and bustle of modern life and the distractions of technology, even something as little as regular tooth brushing can easily fly out the window.
Using a morning or bedtime routine that includes cleaning teeth helps to form this habit quickly. So, your children will forever automatically perform the action without the need to make a conscious decision.
It’s a simple routine:
- Brush for 2 minutes after getting out of bed
- Brush for 2 minutes before getting into bed
- Replace toothbrushes on the 1st of every month
Regular Dental Checkups
Dental checks should start early in life, too. Firstly, to ensure regular health checks and preventative care are performed. Plus, to get your child used to visiting a dentist.
It’s best to seek out a pediatric dentist like Team Smile, who will make the appointments fun, educational, and engaging to leave your child with a positive, relaxing experience.
Your child’s first visit should be by their first birthday - within 6 months of their first tooth arriving. Then schedule checkups every 6 months. Regular checkups help to catch problems early, potentially saving a lot of time, money, and pain later in life.
A Tooth-Friendly Diet
Healthy teeth aren’t just down to cleanliness. Diet is important to stave off tooth decay. We all know sugar, in particular, damages your teeth, leading to fillings or extractions. But have you ever wondered why?
Decay occurs when the sugar reacts with bacteria in plaque. This creates an acid that begins to dissolve and soften the enamel - that’s the protective layer for your teeth. Over time, the enamel breaks down to form a ‘cavity’ or hole in the tooth, which leads to further decay.
So, sugar damages teeth, making it vital to reduce the amount of glucose and fructose entering our mouths. And brushing regularly to remove sugar and acid from surfaces.
Alkalis can also help to cancel out the effects of acid and sugar. That means foods high in calcium, such as leafy greens, dairy, and nuts, can all help improve tooth and gum health. As well as strengthening tooth enamel.
Start your child’s journey to a healthy smile today! Visit Team Smile's website to learn more about their fun, educational, and engaging dental checkups for kids.