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Improve Your Kids' Dental Health
February is Children’s Dental Health Month. It’s the perfect time to focus on teaching your kids the benefits of good oral health.
A healthy smile is one of the keys to confidence and happiness in life. For your kids, building great oral habits early on will help them maintain their tooth health throughout their lives. How can you impart healthy oral habits to your kids this year? Let’s discuss.
Fight Tooth Decay
In the United States, tooth decay is among the most common chronic childhood conditions.
According to the CDC, about 20% of children ages 5-11
suffer from some form of untreated tooth decay.
You can fight this statistic by making sure your kids are following good tooth brushing habits. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled brush, focusing the majority of the brushing on the back molars, where most early tooth decay occurs.
Fluoride toothpaste is also an important component of protecting your child’s teeth from decay. It’s important to wait until after they are two to begin fluoride toothpaste treatment. Consult your dentist if you are unsure about the proper time to start a fluoride regimen.
Introduce Flossing
Flossing is a major aspect of good oral health. However, teaching your children to floss can be tricky.
When it’s time to introduce flossing to your children, it can be helpful to make an event out of picking out dental floss together.
Take a special trip to the store, and encourage them to choose their favorite colors or designs.
Create a rewards system for encouraging them to floss every day.
You can even create a special board with stars or stickers that accumulate over time. When they earn the right amount of stars, reward them with a treat or special outing.
If you can help your kids build a habit of flossing when they’re young, the likelihood that they’ll continue to floss in the future is higher. This improves their chances of healthy teeth for life!
Make a Dentist Appointment
The general rule is that your child should visit the dentist around six months after their first tooth. The age of first tooth eruption will be different for everyone, but a dental check-up is important to ensure that there are no signs of tooth decay or other issues.
Are you searching for a great family dentist that will help your kids develop great oral habits?
Gateway Family Dentistry is one of Middle Tennessee’s leading providers of family dentistry.
Our team is dedicated to helping Murfreesboro children develop great toothcare habits for life.
Contact us today
to schedule your appointment.
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