We all know that the best way to achieve good long term dental health is by practicing techniques (such as regular brushing, flossing, rinsing) and regularly visiting your Ottawa dentist. The month of February is Children’s Dental Health Month and although it is something known more in America, the fundamentals and principles of dental health are important for everyone.
Due to the fact that children are always growing and developing rapidly, the maintenance of their teeth is of the utmost importance in order to facilitate healthy teeth. Dr. Kira Schirk of the CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health Dental Center in Columbia, Pa recommended some important tips for parents to help their children reach their dental health goals.
- “Use fluoride toothpaste early to help fight cavities. Begin brushing children’s teeth as soon as they begin to come into the mouth by using fluoride toothpaste in an amount no more than a smear or the size of a grain of rice. For children three years of age and older, dispense no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Start flossing early. When your child has two teeth that touch you should begin flossing once a day. Wrap the floss around the sides of each tooth moving up and down. If you are using a flosser make sure to also rub each tooth and rinse the flosser in water before putting it between the next tooth.
- If your child needs a pacifier, use a clean pacifier recommended by your dentist or doctor. Do not give your child a pacifier dipped in any sweet liquid.
- Limit fruit juice. Fruit Juice should be limited to the daily servings as recommended by your child’s doctor and only at meal times. Put only water in bottles or sippy cups during non-meal times.
- Fill bed time cups with water only. Do not allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle or sippy cup containing milk, formula, fruit juice or sweetened liquids. Fill it with water only.
- Talk to your child’s doctor or dentist about your child’s fluoride needs. Children older than six months may need extra fluoride. If your tap water does not have fluoride, talk to your child’s doctor or dentist about whether or not fluoride supplements are right for your child.
- Supervise brushing until age eight. To make sure good brushing habits are formed, supervise your child’s brushing until around age eight.”
A happy and healthy smile will help on a child’s journey into adulthood.
