Tips From Dentists For Keeping Kids Teeth Healthy

It's tough enough keeping your own teeth healthy, much less those of your kids. This is one of the great challenges of raising them right - making sure they eat right and take care of their teeth. Dentists always have lots of great ideas for how to keep things clean and make it all easier. Here are some of the things they'll tell you.

It's Never Too Early To Start

Here is a common mistake dentists know most parents make. They figure that their kids' temporary teeth are unimportant and don't pay careful attention to brushing them. After all, they'll be gone in a few years and then the permanent ones will come in. This is a huge misconception. You need to start taking care of your children's gums and teeth as early as possible. It's a good idea to start brushing gums even when they're babies. The reason is that tooth decay and gum disease can still occur with these temporary ones and cause serious problems for your children as they grow up, so get started early.

Kids Do Things For Rewards

Have you noticed that after your kid's dentists visit, they always get a small toy or a treat? This is because kids don't like going any more than adults do. It's the same when you're trying to get them to brush and floss regularly at home. They're usually resistant to these thorough daily brushings, and every parent knows what an ordeal it is to get them to do it. For this reason, you should give them a reward when they brush well and do a good job. Give them a small toy or eraser, or even a piece of chocolate. Be sure that this little reward comes with a whole lot of praise from you as well. Kids respond more to positive reinforcement than negative.

Nutrition Matters Too

Dentists will tell you that tooth care is more than just brushing. Nutrition is also a key factor in keeping teeth and gums healthy. For this reason, you should pay special attention to what you r kids eat. We all know that sugars and starches cause tooth decay, and after eating them they should brush extra carefully. Foods that are high in calcium are good for your child's teeth, as is good old water. If they're drinking a couple of glasses of water a day, this will actually help in keeping their teeth clean as well as keeping their body hydrated.

Make Your Regular Visits

Finally, get your kid to the dentists on a regular basis. These visits are key, especially for kids, in detecting potential problems before they start causing damage. Your kids should see the dentist once every six months at least, although it isn't bad to take them more often. Get regular cleanings and also ask their advice about things like teeth straightening and other special needs your child might have.

And once you're getting your kids to the dentists, how about scheduling some appointments for yourself? Our records show that you haven't been in for a check-up in a while!