8 Ways to Protect Your Child's Teeth

An increasing number of children around the ages of 5 to 6, suffer from tooth decay and cavities. Based on the studies, tooth decay is still the most common disease among children between 6-11 years old. The number of kids with tooth decay is four times more compared to children who have asthma. This news is quite unfortunate since this could've been prevented. A regular appointment with a kid’s dentist in St. Albert and proper oral hygiene, can ensure that your child's oral health will remain in its best condition.

8 Tips from Your Dentist in St. Albert to Protect Your Kid's Teeth

We want our kids to have a beautiful and healthy smile. As a parent, we play a crucial role in helping them take care of their teeth. Here are some easy yet powerful measures you can take according to the kid’s dentist near you.

1. Taking Your Kids for a Dental Checkup

By the time that the baby tooth of your child erupts, you should already take them to the dentist. Before their first birthday, regular dental checkups should already be a part of their oral care and preventive treatment plan. It also teaches children about the importance of seeing the dentist near you regularly. It will make them realize that visiting your dentist is not as scary as it seems.

2. Eating Healthy and Nutritious Meal

The foods that your child eat have a direct impact on their oral health. Be sure to teach your child about the importance of eating healthy meals. Tell them to avoid foods that have high sugar and acidic content, especially before they go to bed. Encourage the habit of eating three meals per day that is primarily composed of vegetables, fruits, and lean meat. Tell them that water is better than carbonated drinks.

3. Limit the Juice

Although there are juices that are healthy, a kid’s dentist in St. Albert will advise your child to limit their juice intake. Drinking sugary beverages like juice throughout the day, can make your kids vulnerable to tooth decay. Your kids should only consume less than 100 ml of juice per day.

4. Avoid Using a Sippy Cup for Sugary Drinks

While using a sippy cup may be a great way to help the transition from bottles to cups, it can also cause various dental problems especially if a parent allows their child to use it all the time. Use it only when drinking water. Sippy cups can encourage the formation of cavities on the front and back teeth, mainly if the drinks are acidic and sugary.

5. Start Ditching Pacifiers

Pacifiers may be suitable for infants, but once they reach 2-3 years old, using them can have a detrimental impact on the development of their mouth and the alignment of the teeth according to the kid’s dentist near you. Avoid using pacifiers by the time they reach two years old.

6. Examine Your Child's Medicine

Most parents are aware that medicine intended for children comes in different flavours. Be sure to check the sugar content of their medication. If it is high, brush your kid's teeth afterwards to avoid the development of tooth decay.

7. Good Oral Habits

Most children will learn their habits from their parents. Therefore, we must set a good example. Brush their teeth at least twice a day using a baby toothbrush and a toothpaste intended for kids. Good oral habits can be taught to your child at an early age.

8. Use Oral Care as Your Bonding Experience

Brushing your teeth together should be a part of your bonding experience. Try to encourage good oral habits by creating a chart and awarding a gold star to your child once they have completed a task. 

For more strategies, speak with your dentist in St. Albert today!