The way children care for their bodies today will have an impact on their health as adults.
Preventive dental care will improve the oral health of your children. It is possible for your child to reach adulthood without ever having tooth decay.
Take your child to see the dentist regularly, beginning by the child’s first birthday.
· Give only water to your child at naptime or bedtime.
· Start brushing as soon as the child’s first tooth appears.
· Begin flossing when two teeth begin to touch.
· Brush and floss your child’s teeth daily until they can be do it with supervision and then eventually by themself.
· Provide a balanced diet and limit snacks with sugar.
· Make certain your child gets the proper fluoride needed for decay-resistant teeth. Ask your dentist how this should be done.
· Ask your dentist about dental sealants, a thin protective barrier that shields the chewing surface of back teeth against tooth decay.
· Ask your dentist about mouth guards. They cushion blows that might otherwise cause broken teeth, injuries to the lips and face, and sometimes-even jaw fractures.
Good oral health practices should begin in infancy and continue
throughout adult life. Attitudes and habits established at an early age are critical in maintaining good oral health throughout life.