How Can I Improve My Child’s Oral Health?

Dental care is critical for your child’s overall health by promoting strong, healthy teeth while preventing infections and decay. A healthy mouth will also help your child talk and eat well, which significantly boosts their self-confidence and ability to thrive. That’s why the Boise dentists at Summit Dental would like to provide you with the following tips for improving your child’s oral health.

Have Your Child Brush 2x Per Day

We know it isn’t always easy to get a child to cooperate. As parents, it can be tempting to let certain routines slide depending on the day. However, it’s essential to have your child brush their teeth 2x a day to maintain optimal oral health while reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Choose a fun toothbrush with a small head that will help them move it around in their mouth, and make sure they use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. The best times to have them brush are in the morning after breakfast and before they go to bed each night.

Limit Sugary Foods & Drinks

Most kids love sugary foods and drinks. However, sugar causes the most damage to their teeth. When sugar interacts with the naturally occurring bacteria in your child’s mouth, it forms plaque. Plaque contains enamel-eating acids, causing cavities and tooth decay. Plaque can also spread to the gum tissue, causing irritation and infection that can develop into gum disease. That’s why it’s essential to limit your child’s intake of sugary foods and drinks to help reduce the risk of developing dental problems.

Teach Your Child to Floss

Flossing is an integral part of your child’s oral health routine. However, it’s often overlooked because kids don’t know how to do it properly. Flossing is important because it removes tiny particles of leftover food and plaque that a toothbrush can’t reach. That’s why it’s essential to teach your child to floss as soon as they can. Conventional floss can be tricky to start with, but other options can make the process easier. These include water flossers and interdental brushes, which are easier to use and make flossing fun.

Discourage Bad Habits

We all develop bad habits throughout our lifetime. However, certain habits are particularly common among children that are bad for their teeth. These include sucking on a bottle or pacifier at night, nail-biting, chewing on hard objects, and using their teeth as tools. At Summit Dental, our Boise dentists can provide you with advice to help support your child’s oral health and prevent them from developing bad habits that can harm their teeth.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

The American Dental Association recommends having your child visit their dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing. After that, you should make routine visits twice a year for checkups and regular cleanings. This will help keep a close eye on the development of your child’s teeth while assessing oral health problems like cavities or gum disease and provide early treatment if a problem is identified. At Summit Dental Group, our Boise dentists can also offer preventative treatments, such as dental sealants and fluoride coatings, which help to maintain optimal oral health.

Want more ways to improve your child’s oral health? Contact the Boise dentists at Summit Dental by filling out our online form or call our downtown office at (208) 314-2275.