8 Ways to Improve Your Kids Dental Health

Helping your children learn how to take care of their teeth enables them to enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile for the rest of their lives. There are many ways to ensure your children’s teeth remain bright and cavity-free. One way to keep your kids’ teeth healthy is to make sure their toothpaste contains fluoride. Fluoride has been proven to be the most effective way to prevent cavities. 

Consult your dentist about this and make sure your children are getting enough fluoride. You may also want to do further research online. This guide tells you all you need to know about dental procedures and other information that deals with improving your kids’ dental health. Still looking for more tips on how to take care of your child’s teeth? Here are eight ways to improve your kids’ dental health. 

Choose the Right Toothbrush for Your Child

Picking the right toothbrush for your children helps them stick to a dental routine that will keep their teeth strong and healthy. Choose a toothbrush that is the right size for your child. Make sure the toothbrush is simple to use so your child will have fun brushing their teeth two times a day. When you select a toothbrush, it should be small enough to fit inside the child’s mouth. Choose a soft-bristle brush so it will effectively clean teeth but won’t damage your child’s gums. If you want your kids to get excited about brushing, let them choose their toothbrush. For example, kids may want a certain color toothbrush or a toothbrush decorated with their favorite cartoon character. Get a new toothbrush after three months or when the bristles begin to fray or look worn. 

Supervise Your Kids as They Brush Their Teeth

Young children are not experts at teeth brushing. It’s hard for them to use a toothbrush to get those areas that are difficult to reach with the brush. For this reason, you must supervise them as they clean their pearly whites. After your kids finish brushing, take the toothbrush and brush their teeth again. That way, you ensure they’ve thoroughly brushed their teeth. Carefully monitor their brushing routine until they are at least seven years old.  

Set a Timer so Children Know How Long to Brush

When kids are first learning how to brush their teeth, they tend to rush through the process. Brushing your teeth too quickly will not ensure that all the parts of your teeth get sparkling clean. Kids should brush their teeth for about two minutes. Buy a small hourglass or timer to help kids use the time to thoroughly brush all the surfaces of their teeth.

Start Kids Flossing at a Young Age

Don’t wait until your children are older to teach them how to floss their teeth. Get them accustomed to flossing at a young age. When babies’ teeth grow close together it's easier for food to get trapped between them. Their teeth can decay just like an adult's teeth do. Protect your kids’ teeth by flossing their teeth each day.

Limit Sugary Juices and Foods

If you want your kids’ dental health to improve, limit the number of sugary foods they consume. Candy, sugary foods, and juices erode the teeth’s enamel. When the enamel erodes, cavities are just around the corner. After kids eat sugary foods, make sure they brush their teeth or rinse their mouths with water. Even sugary liquid medicines can damage the teeth, so kids should brush their teeth after they take this type of medication.  

Take Your Child to the Dentist Regularly

Both adults and children should visit the dentist two times a year. Regular checkups prevent painful cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. If your children go to the dentist regularly, they have a decreased chance of suffering from other medical issues that stem from poor dental hygiene. Children with strong, healthy teeth smile with confidence, enunciate their words, and have no problems chewing their food. Your child will understand the importance of seeing dentists regularly, and they may continue this habit throughout their adult years.

Protect the Mouth While Playing Sports

After spending all this time and energy on your kids’ teeth, you don’t want those pearly whites ruined because of a ball hitting the mouth. If your child plays a sport, he or she should wear a mouthguard. It’s a plastic retainer that protects the mouth and teeth from injury.

Consider Dental Sealants

You can prevent your children from getting cavities by asking your dentist to give them dental sealants. Dental sealants are a thin coating of plastic the dentist applies to your child’s adult teeth, including molars, premolars, and back teeth. The plastic coating seals the teeth, providing an effective barrier against tooth decay. It’s a simple, in-office procedure that gives that extra layer of protection for your kids’ teeth.

Your teeth are some of the most important bones in your body. Painful teeth can make your life miserable. Left untreated, cavities and tooth decay may lead to a host of other medical issues. None of us want our children to suffer because of poor dental hygiene. Improve your child’s dental health by providing them with the proper tools to care for their teeth. Whether it’s the right type of brush, limiting sugar, flossing, or anything in between, these steps will ensure your children enjoy strong, healthy teeth for many years to come.

If you have kids, what are some things you do to keep their teeth strong and healthy? We want to know! Share your comments below.