Oral Health Tips for Parents From a Kid Friendly Dentist Office

Along with taking your child to a kid friendly dentist, you need to focus on daily at-home habits. Consistent good oral health practices will lead to good oral health and overall wellness for your son or daughter. To help you and your child establish the right routines, the dentist can offer important suggestions. You can talk to the dentist about your questions or concerns at your child’s next wellness visit.
The role of oral hygiene in a child’s life
Taking care of teeth and gums should start early in life. The sooner a child develops good habits, the more likely these practices will continue and lead to sound health. Healthy, strong teeth and gums will produce a pleasant smile and reduce the risk of decay and disease. Children who have good oral hygiene are less prone to having bad breath. Taking care of the mouth will also keep infections away, which can also promote good cardiovascular health.
Brush often
From the time a child’s first tooth emerges, daily brushing is essential. Parents should help young children brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and a fluoride-based toothpaste. Brushing is vital before bedtime. It is also wise for children to brush after mealtime. Kids should spend about two minutes brushing, holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline. Going in a circular motion, the child should brush every side of every tooth.
Flossing is crucial
Too many children forget to floss regularly. Parents should remind their kids of this task and should help when necessary. Flossing does not have to occur as often as brushing, though this should take place once a day. Flossing keeps teeth and gums healthy by removing the bacteria that cause plaque and tartar.
Replace the toothbrush
Speaking of brushing teeth, any kid friendly dentist will advise children not to use the same toothbrush too long. Kids should replace their toothbrush about every three months. The brush will become dirty and may eventually spread bacteria from the bristles throughout the mouth. The bristles will also become frayed, which will not be as effective as firm ones.
Keep coming to see the kid friendly dentist
Most kids do not look forward to visiting the dentist. This can be an anxious, nervous time. However, these appointments are vital to maintaining sound oral health. At a wellness checkup, the hygienist will clean the teeth and polish them. The dentist will examine the teeth and gums. This allows the dentist to identify any growing concerns. The dentist can then recommend the right treatment to correct the problem.
Getting into the right frame of mind
For many kids, good oral health starts with establishing habits. As a parent, if you can help your child learn the value of brushing and flossing, you and your child will see the benefits. Follow these tips so your child can enjoy strong, healthy, beautiful teeth and gums. Then, visit the kid friendly dentist every six months for a checkup and examination.
Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Recent Posts
When an emergency strikes, making decisions can be stressful and difficult, especially if the emergency involves your child's oral health. Emergency pediatric dentists recommend that parents have an emergency plan in place before they need one. Having that plan starts with finding the right dentist.During a dental emergency, a child may be in significant distress.…
An emergency pediatric dentist is dedicated to providing quick, comprehensive care to help restore your child's oral health. This, in turn, provides parents peace of mind when unforeseen circumstances occur. Take a look at a few reasons we may work your child up the appointment list.Bleeding gums are usually a sign of gum disease, a…
Cavity treatment for kids can help children maintain their long-term oral health. Tooth decay in children can lead to discomfort, infection, and long-term dental complications if left untreated. Fortunately, early detection and appropriate pediatric dental care can prevent complications and support healthy oral development as children grow up.Cavities develop when bacteria in the mouth feed…
Finding the right dentist for children is crucial to their current and future oral health. It is vital that children start receiving their dental health early in an environment that makes them feel comfortable and inspires them to develop good dental hygiene habits. Finding the right dentist for children is the first step toward ensuring…