While regular six-month visits to a preventive dentist like Dr. Patrick Stuckey are essential for your child’s dental health, they’re not enough to keep their smile strong. A healthy mouth starts at home, so let’s discuss a few top tips you can use to help your children take better care of their teeth.
1. Let Them Pick Out Their Own Toothbrush & Toothpaste
First, we recommend letting kids pick out their own toothpaste and toothbrush. Kids love being able to make decisions, and there are tons of toothbrushes out there with characters from Marvel, Disney, and other popular children’s franchises. If your kid loves their toothbrush, they’re more likely to love brushing with it!
There are also many types of kid-friendly toothpaste with flavors like grape, bubblegum, and cinnamon that kids may enjoy, so let them pick out their toothpaste, too.
2. Help Them Learn About Cavities & Oral Hygiene
Kids love learning. So don’t just tell them that brushing their teeth is important. Show them how it’s important, and why it matters. There are a ton of children’s books about dentistry that you can check out of your local library or order online, and you can also search YouTube for kid-friendly guides to proper oral care that your children are sure to enjoy.
3. Brush With Them & Lead By Example
Making brushing a family affair! You and your kids should be brushing twice a day for at least two minutes. Brushing with your littles ones in the morning and at night is a great way to watch their technique, and make sure they’re actually brushing properly.
It can also be fun! You can sing songs with your kids, dance around, and spend some fun family time while you keep your teeth clean.
4. Encourage A Tooth-Friendly Diet & Minimize Snacking
As you probably already know, sugary and starchy snacks like gummy candy, cookies, and chips are not great for your child’s dental health. Fruit juices, soda, and other sugary drinks also encourage the formation of cavities.
So do your best to limit these treats, and feed your child healthy foods like yogurt and milk, whole grain bread and crackers, fresh fruit and vegetables, and lean meats.
It’s also a good idea to minimize snacking throughout the day. Limit your kids to 3 meals and one or two snack times. Frequent, intermittent snacking encourages the buildup of oral bacteria, because their saliva won’t be able to wash away all of the food particles from their snacks.
5. Schedule Six-Month Preventive Care Appointments
It’s important to schedule a six-month preventive appointment at the office of Dr. Patrick Stuckey. Dr. Stuckey loves working with kids of all ages, and can explain dental concepts to your kids, which allows them to make better choices about their dental care. Regular appointments at our office will help your child develop healthy dental habits that will stick with them for the rest of their lives.
Get The Care Your Child Needs At The Office Of Patrick Stuckey, DDS!
If you need a family dentist for children’s dental care in Ruston, Dr. Patrick Stuckey is a great choice. Our team loves working with kids, and we can help your little one get the help they need for a healthier smile. Contact us online or give us a call at (318) 255-8648 to schedule your first consultation.
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