Encourage your children to adopt good dental habits early in their lives. Doing so is not just a healthy decision for them, but can also be financially beneficial to you. Proper dental care and checkups could reduce the need for more expensive dental procedures further down the line.
Brush Their Teeth
Depending on the age of your kids, you may consider brushing their teeth for them. In fact, Dr. Wong recommends doing so until your son or daughter can hold the toothbrush and understands the importance of using the correct technique for brushing as well as flossing.
While parents of toddlers understand that they need to brush their child’s teeth, sometimes it’s necessary to do so even for older kids. Make sure the brush is angled properly at the gum line, especially since brushing someone else’s teeth is different than brushing your own. Next time you are at Blue Ocean Dentistry, ask Dr Wong or the hygienist to show you how to properly brush your children’s teeth until they are mature enough to handle the task on their own.
Once your children are old enough to competently brush and floss their own teeth, provide an egg timer so they will remember to brush for at least 2-3 minutes. Also, you may even consider offering a simple reward for a week or two of good brushing habits. Many kids thrive on positive feedback, so you may even want to introduce a “game” to tooth brushing to make it more enjoyable.
Practice What You Preach
Kids imitate what they see. If the parents brush two or more times a day and floss regularly, their offspring will be more inclined to follow. Try your best to use the proper techniques when cleaning your teeth (whether your kids are present).
Talk to your Dentist
While home care is infinitely important, it’s vital to have expert opinions of a qualified dentist such as Dr. Wong. Talk to him about the various stages of your child’s dental history, including when to start using toothpaste, when to floss and when to consult an orthodontist. Regular dental checkups are the best offense. Also, taking your kids to the dentist at regular intervals will help them develop good dental hygiene. Regular office visits will help your dental team identify and treat potential problems before they develop into more serious matters.
Brace kids for Braces
Talk to your children about the possibility of orthodontia. If you know older children who have gone through braces, ask them to talk to your son or daughter or ask the dentist to explain the process well in advance of orthodonture appointments. Although we do not do orthodonture at Blue Ocean Dentistry, we can recommend you to an orthodontist who can evaluate your child and recommend a treatment protocol.
Make Smart Food Choices
Teeth react to everything we eat. So, pay attention to your child’s diet not just for his or her health but also for dental care.
- Avoid sugary snacks.
- Watch the intake of juice and certain fruits which are high in sugar, such as raisins. Anything that sticks to teeth can pose problems down the road.
- Offer water frequently to help your kids rinse food particles and make sure they stay healthy and hydrated.
- Calcium is vital for teeth and bone development. Include foods that are high in this vital nutrient, such as broccoli, cheese and yogurt.
About Dr. Fred Wong of Blue Ocean Dentistry in Glendora, California
Dr. Fred Wong and the staff at Blue Ocean Dentistry use the latest available dental treatments, equipment, and materials – all of which make a marked difference in our patients’ experiences. We are committed to helping our patients achieve optimal dental health. We creatively combine dental science and artistry — which can literally redesign your smile. Since even a subtle change in your smile will help you to project self-confidence and high self-esteem, we love helping you feel good about yourself. We deliver the finest dental care at the most reasonable cost and accept most dental insurance plans as well as CareCredit. For more about the dental treatment plans we offer or to schedule an appointment, call today (626) 852-6999.