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Helping Children Take Care of Their Teeth
We all have hectic schedules that make it difficult to take care of our own teeth, much less our children’s teeth! Many parents hand the brushing and flossing duty over to their children entirely as soon as they can hold a toothbrush by themselves, not realizing that they may be allowing their children’s dental health to deteriorate.
The truth is that most children do not have the coordination and dedication necessary to fully care for their teeth until they are about 8 years old. Until this time, parents should continue to help their children brush and floss, or at least go behind them and check for plaque or areas of concern. Most children don’t even like bathing or washing their faces, much less understand the importance of good dental hygiene.
Ages 5 to 10 are cavity prone years, so follow these simple steps to help keep your child’s mouth healthy:
- Schedule a dental checkup (cleaning) every 6 months.
- Make sure your child brushes every morning after breakfast, and brushes and flosses every night before bed. Any teeth that are touching should be flossed.
- Switch to a fluoridated toothpaste if your child can spit all of the toothpaste out after brushing.
- Consider having your child use a fluoride mouth rinse, or a mouth rinse that makes plaque visible (such as Listerine Agent Cool Blue) so he or she can see spots missed during brushing.
- Check your child’s mouth regularly for plaque (buildup) or signs of decay.
- Teach your child about healthy foods and unhealthy foods. Avoid sodas, tea, coffee, suckers, chewing gum, and other sticky candies. Promote healthy snacks such as cheese, fresh fruit, and vegetables. Remember that Cheddar and Mozzarella cheeses help prevent cavities!
- If your child participates in sports, extreme sports, or contact activities, have him or her wear a mouthguard – even during practice – to prevent injuries.
- Explain to your child that the adult teeth that are starting to come in are the only teeth they will ever have and they must take good care of them.
Read More About Oral Health for Children Ages 5 to 10:
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