Keep Your Kids Teeth Healthy During The Holidays

For most kids, holidays mean lots of junk food and candy. While we want our children to enjoy the holiday season, we also want to keep their teeth healthy. Here are a few tips from Colgate to help maintain your children’s oral health despite increased sugar intake.

Cavities are common in childhood, but they can be prevented with regular brushing and flossing. The type of food you offer your children also plays a vital role in their oral health, which directly impacts their overall well-being.

7 Child Dental Care Tips For Healthy Teeth And Gums

Our teeth help us eat, talk, and smile, which is a regular activity in a person’s life. Teach your child good dental habits for a brighter and shinier smile.

During holidays, kids do not want to eat homemade food. Instead, they binge eat unhealthy and processed food that is good in taste but affects their oral health, leading to cavities, tooth decay, and toothache.

Regular teeth cleaning habits are essential for maintaining a child’s oral health. Follow these child dental care tips and help to make your kid’s teeth healthy and decay-free.

Brush Your Kids Teeth Twice A Day With Fluoride Toothpaste 

Start with cleaning your kid’s teeth even if all of their teeth are not fully developed or if they are under 1 year of age. Take a clean cloth and clean their teeth and gums.

Use a small and soft bristles brush, and clean their mouth thoroughly with water at least 2 times a day.

But if your child is one year old, then you must regularly brush their teeth at least 2 times a day. First when they wake up and second at night before going to bed.

Use Pea-Sized Amount Of Toothpaste 

The type and amount of toothpaste that you use for your kid also matters the most. 

Dentists recommend taking a small, pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for kids 3 – 6 years of age.

And make sure they do not swallow toothpaste. Excessive toothpaste (including fluoride) intake can lead to fluorosis, a cosmetic defect in tooth enamel.

Help Your Child Brush Their Teeth Properly

You must help and teach your child how to brush their teeth properly. Soft brush their teeth with a small toothbrush that is soft and avoid using hard bristles that can damage their gums.

Show your child the correct way to brush their teeth, and gently use the brush in circular motions, brushing all sides of each tooth.

Pay extra attention to the back of the teeth where cavities usually form, and brush for at least two minutes.

Limit Sugary Drinks And Foods 

Avoid binge eating on sugary drinks and food. Sugar consumption in excess is a major contributor to kids’ teeth cavity and tooth decay. Encourage healthy habits by limiting sugary foods and drinks.

Avoid offering sugary snacks and drinks; instead, opt for healthy snack options like fruits, whole-grain alternatives, and homemade foods.

Encourage your Child To Have Fruits And Vegetables

Encourage your child to have more fruits and vegetables whenever they feel hungry, and do not give highly processed or unhealthy foods like pizza, burgers, soft drinks, and chocolates.

Snacking on unhealthy food leads to cavities and toothache in early childhood, which disturbs a child’s daily activities.

Give Them Protein And Calcium Rich Foods 

Give them calcium-rich diets containing yogurt, broccoli, and milk, as well as protein-rich foods like lean meats (Turkey), chicken, and white fish, which are a good source of protein.

Having a calcium and protein-rich diet helps to make kids’ teeth stronger and shinier.

Take Your Child To The Dentist For Regular Checkups

According to the American Academy Of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), every parent should take their child to the dentist by their first birthday or when their first tooth appears, which comes first.

The dentist may examine the teeth, gums, jaw, bite, and oral tissues, he may clean the teeth, plaque or stains on the teeth. The dentist may show you or teach your child how to clean their teeth daily.

Top 4 Child Dental Care Benefits 

Good oral hygiene with these child dental care tips helps in developing healthier teeth and prevents tooth decay and gum disease. Here are the Top 5 child dental care benefits that impact your child’s overall health –

Prevents Tooth decay 

Healthy oral care habits and dental checkups can help a child avoid tooth decay and the pain that comes with it. A dentist will identify tooth decay through oral examination and X-rays.

The timely treatment and recovery of cavities typically ensures less invasive treatments, which prevents the need for filling or extractions.

Avoid Kids Teeth Cavity 

Cavities are one of the most common oral problems in children and toddlers, and they can develop in your child’s primary teeth.

Regular oral care and brushing can prevent kids’ teeth cavity that can be painful, causing discomfort.

Gum disease 

It is also known as periodontal disease, which is usually caused by plaque formation, a sticky layer (bacteria) that forms on the teeth and gums. This usually happens when a child avoids or does not properly brush their teeth on a regular basis. 

Improved self-esteem

Having healthy gum and white teeth helps you smile brighter without hesitation, which improves a child’s self-esteem and boosts confidence.         

Key Takeaways 

Keeping your child’s teeth healthy is not a complicated task, with just a little guidance and best child dental care tips, you can teach them healthy habits that can help them have a lifetime of smile.

Encourage them to have a healthy diet, including fruits and vegetables, and make water their go-to drink for your kid’s teeth health.

By following these simple ways to keep your teeth healthy, you can ensure your child’s teeth stay strong and beautiful for years to come. And if you want to get expert advice from the best pediatric dentists, Dacula Dental is here to help.

We have a team of experienced and professional dentists who can help you treat your kids with the utmost care and expertise. Book an appointment now to know more.

A Healthier And A Brighter Smile Awaits You