Healthy teeth are important to your child’s overall health. They help your child eat and talk. Strong oral care helps set good dental habits as your child grows. Poor oral care can lead to infection, disease, or other teeth problems.
Help make dental hygiene fun with these tips:
Let children help choose their own toothbrush. They can pick one that has a favourite colour or character.
Let children help choose toothpaste. They can pick their favourite flavour.
Read books or watch videos that talk about dental hygiene.
Use a timer to make sure kids brush their teeth for 2 minutes. Or play their favourite song to help keep track of time.
Reward children for good oral care. Do not give them food or sugary treats. Offer something healthy or simple instead, like apple slices or a gold star.
The Role of Fluoride in a Child’s Dental Hygiene
Fluoride is important to a child’s health. It is known to reduce cavities in baby (primary) teeth and adult (permanent) teeth. It also helps make teeth strong by hardening the tooth enamel. Most children get fluoride in drinking water. Many cities are required to add fluoride to tap water. Too much fluoride can cause tooth stains and be harmful to your child’d health. Be sure your child does not swallow fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash. Follow all instructions for fluoride supplements.
Dental Hygiene – Diet
Kids who eat a lot of sugary foods and drinks also are at high risk for cavities. It is important to make healthy food choices. Avoid too much sugar. Do not let your child have a lot of soda, fruit juice, or sweetened drinks. Limit sweet snacks and drinks between meals. If your child does have sugar, make sure they brush their teeth afterward.
Chewing gum is safe for older kids. It can provide benefits, such as:
Strengthening the jaw
Helping produce saliva
Washing away bits of food
Balancing acid that can cause tooth decay
Freshening breath
However, gum that contains sugar can cause cavities. Limit the amount of sugar gum your child chews or only give them sugar-free gum.
Dental Hygiene – Mouth Safety
Safety is another big part of dental hygiene. If your child plays sports, they should wear a mouth guard. This is a soft, plastic retainer that covers the teeth and sometimes the lips. It helps protect your child’s mouth from injuries. Talk to your dentist if you need a custom-fit mouth guard.
