Most people care about how their smile looks. The demand for teeth whiteners and veneers has increased over the past five years. Veneer use has increased by over 250% over that time period. The demand for teeth whiter has risen by 300%. Nearly 75% of people fear an unattractive smile will hurt their chance for success at work. For that reason, getting regular dental check ups from an early age. If you introduce your child to a pediatric dentist, early you can prevent them from developing a fear of the experience and get them stared with a good oral hygiene routine that they will have for a lifetime.
- Start early. Your child’s oral hygiene regimen should start early. With infants you can massage their gums with a wet piece of cause. You should do this after feeding times and you can sooth any newly emerged teeth when they come in. Even before you take them to the pediatric dentist, you can get them started on a life of good oral hygiene practices.
- Watch what you put in your baby’s bottle. If you use a bottle to put your baby to sleep, make sure you have water in there. Sugar from juices can be very damaging to your child’s teeth. Leaving them with a bottle for extended periods can lead to tooth decay.
- Teach them by example. Most kids want to emulate their parents’ actions. If they see you brushing and flossing, they are more likely to learn from you and do the same thing. Finding a family dentist that all of your family can go to will help as well. If they see you going to the dentist and are not afraid of the experience, they are more likely to follow suit. Fear of the dentist is a learned behavior. Show them how much you like going to the dentist and they will enjoy the experience more.
- Use a soft brush. When you notice their teeth coming in, get a toothbrush with soft bristles. Their gums may be sensitive to the touch of the toothbrush. Use only a very small amount of toothpaste.
- Teach them to brush. Around age two, you should start teaching them about brushing. They should be able to do it themselves by around age six. Once they have mastered brushing, you can start to teach them about flossing.
- Be proactive. Check to see if your water supply has fluoride in it. If not, you can always talk to your pediatric dentist about supplementation options. They have products that are available for kids that help prevent cavities. You can ask about sealants for example, that prevent food from getting into the grooves of your child’s teeth.
- Watch your furniture. About half of all dental injuries to babies and young children are caused by acciednts in the home. This can be prevented by child proofing your home.
- Skip the sugar. When we eat sugar, it takes at least a half an hour for our saliva to deal with the acid created by sugar eating bacteria. That means when you give your children sugar, you are feeding that bacteria and it can lead to tooth decay.
Finding a dentist you like and trust is an important part of maintaining your child’s health. You can find a pediatric dentist or go with a family friendly dentist. if you do not have dental insurance, many practices offer financing for dental work. Finding a dentist does not need to be a challenge or a chore. You can ask around for recommendations for a pediatric dentist. You can talk to your pediatrician to see if they have any recommendations, too. Not having a dentist is no reason to avoid caring for your and your children’s teeth.
