It is very important to get children into a dental routine from an early age. As a parent, it is critical to begin cleaning your child's teeth as soon as they appear, which beings at approximately 6 months. Although these "baby" teeth will fall out by early adolescence, they are still important for the development of permanent teeth, and should be cared for accordingly.
There are a number of elements involved in taking care of children's teeth. Regular trips to the dentist are essential, both for professional
cleanings and to ensure that your child does not have any cavities, or other dental problems. Since children have thinner enamel than adults, decay can spread quicker, so they may need more frequent check-ups. Dental x-rays are also important to make sure that teeth are progressing and moving properly.
Your child should get into the habit of brushing his or her teeth twice a day as well as flossing regularly. You can brush your child's teeth when they are young, but it is good to teach them to do it themselves around the age of seven. Early on, you should participate in this process to ensure that your child is doing a thorough job, using a gentle circular motion and reaching every tooth. It is important that there is fluoride in your child's toothpaste, but too much fluoride can result in a spotted appearance on permanent teeth later on, so be sure to check with the dentist about how much fluoride you are using.
In terms of diet, try to limit the amount of sugar and acid in your child's diet, particularly between meals or before bedtime. This includes not just sweets but also hidden sugars, such as the ones in breakfast cereals.
Ideally, children should be aware and understand as much as they can the importance of all of these steps - regularly visiting the dentist, brushing and flossing daily, and avoiding sugary and acidic foods. This will ensure that they continue to maintain these habits as they progress through life, appreciating the importance of and factors underlying good dental health.
