One common question is, “when do you recommend bringing your children to the dentist?”
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends bringing your children to the dentist before their first birthday. At their first visit the dentist will check your child’s incoming teeth for early development problems and decay. If your child has any potential problem, or you are a first time parent, the Dentist will show you how to take care of your children’s teeth.
Following your first visit you should schedule a dental visit every six months for your children.
For many young children it might be scary going to the dentist at first so it good to help develop a positive attitude toward going to the dentist. Some ways to help curve their fear you might consider is taking our child with you when you go for a checkup. This way they get use to the surroundings and the staff. Also, try to avoid using negative words when attending the dentist such as “hurt”. Some other fun ways to prepare for a dentist visit is play dentist with your child and show them the different procedures that take place during a visit.
Caring for your child’s teeth doesn’t stop at the dentist.
After your visit it important to continue encouraging good brushing habits. Cleaning a child’s beings when the first tooth is visible. Decay can happen as soon as they appear in the mouth. Wipe your baby’s mouth teeth and gums after every feeding with a damp washcloth. By the age of three children should be brushing their own teeth. Help your children learn the important of flossing by flossing your child’s teeth daily. By the age of eight children should be able to brush and floss their teeth on their own. During yearly checkups ask question about your child’s teeth our staff is more then happy to answer any of your question or show you how to care for your child teeth.
Fun way to encourage children to brush their teeth.
Sometimes it’s not always the easiest task to get your child to brush their teeth. They may whine about having to do this daily chore but it’s important that parent encourage a healthy hygiene routine to help keep their smile in tact. Here are a few tips about how to help make brushing teeth fun and enjoyable time for your little ones.
- Toothbrushes: Now a days toothbrushes come in early color and are even decorated with their favorite cartoon character, some even play music! Let your child pick our their special toothbrush so it’s makes it fun and exciting for your kids. Also lets them personalize something that is only theirs and shows a little bit about who they are.
- Rewards: If you have a reward chart for chores already add brushing teeth to the chart. Each night when your children willing brush their teeth give them a star. Then it’s up to you if you would like to reward them with a small prize after a full week of stars or month.
- Toothpaste flavors: Bubblegum, strawberry, watermelon, Even cupcake flavor are just some of the different types of toothpaste flavors available for kids. Keep things exciting by switching it up with different flavors if they don’t like the traditional mint.
- Flossing: Flossing often is the hardest part to get children to do but it is an essential part of good oral hygiene and can’t be skipped. Instead of traditional floss buy fun flossing tools that come in a variety of different colors.
The more fun you make brushing your teeth the more your child will be encouraged to brush.
Always end the night with compliments such as “Nice Smile!” A healthy lifestyle begins with healthy teeth. Starting your child our with a good healthy brushing habit is essential and will help prevent cavities and tooth decay.