You love to see your child smile. It’s the highlight of your day! You would do anything to protect that smile, wouldn’t you? Well, it may shock you to know that the most common condition for children is cavities, and dental issues account for millions of school hours lost every year. This February, also known as National Children’s Dental Health Month, take the opportunity to evaluate how well you’re teaching your child to care for their smile. Here is some helpful information to get your started from your dentist in Boiling Springs.
Crucial Dental Habits
To promote your child’s oral health, they need to do some basic things:
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss once a day.
- Visit your dentist in Boiling Springs every six months for checkups and cleanings.
These tasks help prevent plaque from building up and causing cavities. Other actions that can help improve their dental health include the following:
- Rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash daily.
- Drinking more water.
- Limiting their consumption of sugar.
Never Too Early
You can start teaching your child the importance of dental health from their birth. Using a washcloth, you can gently massage their gums clean after feedings. Later as teeth come in, you can switch to a toothbrush and a daily routine of brushing twice a day. After their first birthday, you should be bringing your child to your dentist in Boiling Springs twice a year for checkups and cleanings. At minimum, these appointments allow them to become accustomed to the dentist’s office, the dentist, and the tools they use, making dental trips less frightening for your child.
If your child is already older, you can still make a fresh beginning, bring them to the dentist, and establish those healthy habits for the future.
Model Behavior
One of the best ways to teach your child how to care for their teeth is to model it for them. Children love to imitate their parents and are more likely to brush and floss their teeth if they see you doing those things for yourself. If you currently don’t do the basics for oral hygiene, start now. You and your child will benefit from necessary lifestyle changes.
Patterns for Life
You know your child’s oral health is important, and the best way to communicate that is by helping them learn these habits in your home. If you can implement these healthy oral practices, especially while your child is young, they will be more likely to continue doing them into adulthood.
You would do anything for your child, and that includes helping them develop critical skills, like taking care of their health. By learning the importance of their oral health now in their younger years, your child can know how to avoid oral problems in the future. They can keep their natural smile happy and healthy for years to come. For more information about preventive care, oral health, or children’s dentistry, contact your dentist in Boiling Springs.
About the Practice
Since 1998, Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry has been serving the community with comprehensive dental care. Their dentists and team are dedicated to making every patient feel comfortable and welcome while providing unparalleled dentistry services including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative procedures. To contact them for an appointment, you can call (717) 258-5455 or click here.