Sure, your kids’ teeth will fall out and they will get new ones. But that doesn’t mean we want them to get cavities in all the baby teeth! Rather, we try to teach our children good hygiene habits early on which includes taking care of their teeth. I definitely need to improve in dental flossing my daughter’s teeth more often but so far her teeth are doing good. These five tips help:
- Buy a child-friendly electric toothbrush. This will ensure better coverage and movement but he regular ones sometimes hurt their teeth.
- Use a timer so that your child brushes at least 30 seconds in each quadrant. This is key as many children try to brush as quickly as possible and basically spit the toothpaste out whole (one big glob).
- Brush at least twice a day, when they get up and go to sleep. This is always recommended but sometimes we’re too tired to make sure they do this, especially before bed.
- Don’t drink too much soda or eat too many items with high sugar content. Many parents unknowingly ruin their children’s teeth with too much fruit juice. It may be natural but that sugar will still eat the enamel.
- Go to the dentist regularly. This is an expense that cannot and should not be skimped on. The dentist will clean all the plaque/tartar was well as give them a much-needed dose of extra fluoride to promote healthy tooth development.
If you are out and about and cannot brush after meals, chewing gum is a good option. Trident sugar free gum contains Xylitol, a sugar free sweetener, which has been shown to loosen plaque. I actually never knew that until this campaign. I am definitely going to get some the next time I’m at the store. Please teach your children to keep their mouths close when chewing – it is so irritating when they are smacking their mouths like cows. Sorry, that is a serious pet-peeve of mind.
Great teeth and a bright smile is the one thing that will boost a child’s or anyone’s confidence. How sad is it when little children are sporting metal caps?! I felt so guilty when my daughter got her first cavity since it’s really my fault for not keeping on top of her dental health. Now I’m determined to keep her smile looking fantastic!
I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Trident blogging program/contest, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
