BEING A PARENTĀ can be incredibly hectic. It can be hard to keep track of all the things growing kids need, which is why weāre giving our patients a list of five simple tips for staying on top of their childrenās dental health ā and their own!
Tip #1: Know What to Expect from Whitening Toothpastes
We all love having pearly white teeth, parents included, but itās essential to know how whitening toothpaste works to manage our expectations. These kinds of toothpaste contain polishing agents and mild abrasives to remove surface stains, but they wonāt affect deeper stains. Those require more thorough whitening treatments like bleaching or microabrasion.
Tip #2: Teens and Pediatric Dentistry
When you hear the term āpediatric dentist,ā you might think that means kids only, but weāre still the best type of dentist to take care of a growing teenagerās teeth.Ā Caring for an adolescentās oral health is part of our specialized training. Your childās face and jaws will experience a tremendous amount of growth and change in these years, and their last few permanent teeth will be coming in. Itās a critical period, which requires the attention of a specialist.
Tip #3: Looking for Teeth-Friendly Snacks? Try Cheese.
Recent research shows that one of the healthiest snacks your child can eat, particularly where their teeth are concerned, is cheese! On top of being a great source of calcium (which remineralizes tooth enamel),Ā it also works to fight cavities by stimulating the salivary glands, which help clear the mouth of debris and neutralize harmful acids.
Tip #4: Seal the Deal for Healthy Teeth with Sealants
Another great way to protect a childās teeth from tooth decay is Sealants.
Sealants are a clear plastic material painted over the deep pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of teeth to block out bacteria and prevent decay. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends sealants, particularly for children with a history of tooth decay.
Tip #5: Brush Up on Brushing
The easiest and most crucial cavity prevention method is brushing your teeth, but finding the right toothbrush can be tricky. Whether you get your child a manual or electric toothbrush, it will be an essential tool in keeping their teeth healthy.
We recommend lookingĀ for a toothbrush with soft, round-ended (polished) bristles. These will clean effectively while being gentle on the gums. Look for a brush designed for small hands and mouths, and donāt forget to replace it every three months or so. Worn-out brushes arenāt as effective!
Your child will need help brushing until theyāre about 7 to 8 years old, so be sure to work with them and supervise their brushing when they begin doing it themselves so that they learn good techniques to get every tooth surface clean.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.