Preventing dental issues is one of every parent’s goals in keeping their kids safe and healthy. At Corvallis Dental Group, we understand the unique issues parents face when fighting tooth decay and other oral health issues with their children. Here are our top four preventive dental care tips for your child’s smile.
1. Diet
Your child’s diet is essentially their first line of defense against oral health diseases and decay. Providing your child with a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and proteins helps keep their body strong. Further, certain foods, like celery, apples, and carrots, help scrub their teeth clean.
Reducing sugar intake is important, particularly avoiding sticky foods like fruit snacks that cling to teeth and provide a constant source of sugar for bacteria. Ensuring your child gets enough water to rinse the mouth helps fight off bacteria by eliminating their food source. It’s also important to limit acidic drinks like soda and certain fruit juices to protect your child’s teeth from acid erosion. Additionally, avoiding giving your child juice or milk right before bed can prevent prolonged exposure to sugars, which significantly reduces the risk of tooth decay.
2. Brush & Floss
It’s important for your child to understand good brushing and flossing techniques. Proper brushing technique scrubs away plaque on the tooth’s surface and can help slow down the formation of new plaque. It’s important to brush your child’s teeth for them until their dexterity is strong enough to manage on their own. Some parents may find an electric toothbrush helpful.
Flossing reaches places that brushing can’t. Food or bacteria hiding in hard-to-reach areas leads to more plaque. When left untreated, this plaque hardens and becomes tartar. The bacteria in tartar will eat away at the surfaces it touches over time, leading to cavities and gum disease. Flossing helps to scrub away those bacteria and food particles missed by brushing alone.
3. Get Preventive Sealants
Another effective preventive measure in children’s dental care is the application of sealants on their molars. Dental sealants act as a protective shield over the grooves and pits of molars, which are often prone to decay. These areas can be difficult for children to clean thoroughly with brushing alone. By applying a thin, durable coating, sealants block out food particles and bacteria, significantly reducing the risk of cavities. This simple, pain-free procedure can be a valuable investment in your child’s oral health, safeguarding their teeth during the most cavity-prone years. It’s also typically covered by dental insurance!
4. See Your Family Dentist
Routine dental exams and dental cleanings are an excellent way to stay on top of your child’s oral health. Their dentist will thoroughly check for any signs of disease and decay and get rid of any built-up plaque and tartar on your child’s teeth.
Family-Friendly Dental Care in Corvallis, OR!
Stay ahead of the curve with a visit to Corvallis Dental Group! Call us today to schedule your child’s appointment!
