What does it take to have a healthy set of pearly whites?
Most people will strive for smiles that Hollywood celebrities possess. Then again, no one is born with the perfect smile but it does involve a great amount of care.
With that being said, giving your kids a healthy smile is possible if you put in the effort from the get-go.
They have a long way to go to achieving the perfect chompers.
1. Stick to a brushing schedule
A sure-fire way to perfect dental health is through a consistent brushing regimen. Dentists will always advise brushing at least twice a day, ideally in the morning and before bedtime. For the best results, you can encourage your child to brush after lunch or after every snack. Just be sure to follow the proper way of brushing.
2. Follow up with flossing
To most people, flossing is just an add-on to brushing. Then again, brushing doesn’t do much against food particles that get stuck in between teeth. If you fail to remove these particles, bacteria and plaque will build up, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. It’s for this reason that the American Dental Association encourages people to floss. Your kids may find it peculiar at first, but if you train them to floss well, they can develop a habit of doing it at least once a day.
3. Regulate your sugar intake
We all know what sugar does to the teeth, so it’s important that you teach your kids to become mindful of the amount of sugary treats they consume. You can provide your child with alternatives that are just as effective at satisfying their cravings for sugar. Apples and carrots, for one, can help polish the teeth due to their hard texture. You can also get your kids to eat more dairy-based food such as cheese and yogurt which contain high levels of calcium which are good for the teeth.
4. Visit the dentist
There is no better way to improve your child’s dental health than visiting the dentist at least once every six months. During each visit, have your child undergo a dental exam and prophylaxis for getting rid of tartar and preventing gum disease from developing. Now that you know the essentials of giving your child the perfect smile, it’s only a matter of getting them to commit.
Call it frustrating, but getting your child involved in developing healthy dental habits is possible. The best way to do that is to be a role model for them.
You don’t have to scare your kids with pictures of tooth decay and gingivitis. You can just brush your teeth together with your child and bring them along during your dental checkup.
Finally, you need to look for a dental clinic that specializes in making the experience less intimidating and more exciting for your children!
Dr. Jonelle Anamelechi and her team at Children’s Choice believe that developing proper dental habits in children starts with providing them a positive experience every time they visit.
If you want your child to see the value of having the perfect smile without the added fear factor, schedule an appointment with us and see the difference!