Making sure that a child's smile develops to be as beautiful and healthy as possible is an important goal for most parents. Yet many parents overlook some basic dental-care steps that can help their children avoid some potentially serious cosmetic and functional dental problems. Luckily, you will be able to help ensure that your child's smile avoids these serious issues through using these two tips.
Instill Proper Brushing and Flossing Techniques
One of the most important things that you can do for your child's dental health is to make sure that they understand the importance of using proper technique when brushing and flossing. Incorrect technique can greatly diminish the effectiveness of these routine tasks, and that may expose your child to a higher risk of developing cavities. Particularly severe instances of improper brushing and flossing can lead to serious periodontal disease that could result in your child losing one or more of their teeth.
When you are brushing, you will want to make sure that your child is using a circular motion, as this will be able to remove more plaque and food particles than horizontal or vertical brushing motions. Also, your child will need to know the importance of using floss on each gap between teeth. While teaching these lessons may require you to closely supervise your child's brushing and flossing, this can be a minor expense for avoiding cavities and expensive dentist visits in the future.
Consider Investing in a Custom-Made Mouthguard for Athletic Children
Sports can teach your child the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and dedication. However, there are numerous accidents that can occur during sports, and these incidents may cause serious damage to your child's smile. In fact, it can be fairly easy for teeth to get knocked out, chipped, or cracked during these events.
While a mouthguard can help to protect the teeth against these damages, some parents may fail to appreciate the benefits of having their dentist make a custom mouthguard for their child. When one of these mouthguards is made, the dentist will take a mold of your child's teeth. This will allow them to ensure that the mouthguard perfectly fits your child's teeth. In contrast, mass-produced mouthguards may not provide the type of protection your child's teeth deserve due to small spaces being present. Luckily, your dentist will be able to complete the custom mouthguard within a day or two so that your child can have this important form of protection before their sport starts.
Talk to a dentistry such as Little Peoples Dentistry to learn more.
Share29 November 2016
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.