20 Oct How to Keep the Treats from Playing Tricks On Your Child’s Teeth
Halloween parties and costumes can distract children from performing day to day important functions; and as parents we must deal with that plus bags of candy and snacks that can wreak havoc on kid’s teeth. Don’t be forced into emergency treatment at the dentist – be proactive with your children’s dental health.
Dental decay seems to be a pervasive problem for children … that is because their teeth have not fully developed lacking the strength of adult teeth. Plus monitoring their diet is very hard as they often eat away from home.
There are things you can do to help keep your children cavity free …
Teach them how to perform daily oral maintenance. Provide the correct tools and monitor their use. One of those tools might include an electronic toothbrush. An electronic toothbrush often comes with a timer to signal your child to know they have brushed a full two minutes. A toothpaste or gel that contains fluoride helps to strengthen dental enamel.
Flossing daily removes debris your child’s toothbrush missed, and when used correctly flossing also helps stimulate healthy gum tissue. While brushing is necessary for great dental health, flossing is just as important so make sure you incorporate this habit into your child’s daily oral health care routine.
Don’t allow sugary treats to take up residence in your child’s room. Keep in mind that what your child may enjoy most is the act of trick or treating. It’s not necessary for them to eat everything they collect.
Finally, make sure your child sees the family dentist every six months. A thorough cleaning will remove all plaque that has formed since their last appointment. Plaque build-up leads to dental decay.
Your dentist can offer preventative measures such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants that will provide protection to the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth not already impacted by dental decay.
Enjoy the holiday, but do everything you can do make sure your children are maintaining good dental habits.