Preventative dental care is important to keep your child’s teeth healthy throughout their life. Pediatric preventative dentistry is dental care that helps your child maintain excellent oral health. This is a combination of regular pediatric dentist checkups along with developing good oral habits like brushing and flossing your child’s teeth. Taking good care of your teeth should start in childhood and extend throughout your life.

Pediatric Dental Preventative Care Tips

Pediatric dental preventative care should start as soon as your child’s first tooth appears. Practicing early preventative dental care can help prevent dental problems early in life before they become a costly, and sometimes painful, issue.

Some simple ways to promote practicing early pediatric dental preventative care include:

• Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day. Teaching your child to brush their teeth properly is a major step in preventative care. Make sure your child is using a soft-bristled toothbrush when they brush their teeth twice a day as this allows the brush to remain gentle against their gums.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste to eliminate plaque. Fluoride toothpaste helps fight plaque more than regular toothpaste alone. Make sure your child is also brushing their tongue with the toothpaste to remove any extra plaque and help remove germs that cause bad breath.
• Children should floss at least once a day. Bacteria and germs can hide between the teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Floss and mouthwash can help remove plaque and food from in between the teeth and under the gum line.
• Make sure your child is eating a healthy, balanced diet. Nutritious foods play a huge part when it comes to your child’s oral health. Food full of sugar can quickly lead to tooth decay and cause cavities. Instead, make sure your child is eating plenty of raw vegetables, fruit, plain yogurt, and cheese for a healthy smile.
• Schedule regular pediatric dentist checkups. Your child should be visiting their pediatric dentist every six months. This ensures they receive a professional cleaning twice a year and any problems arising in their oral health can be corrected quickly before they get out of control.
• Protect your child’s teeth if they play sports. Sports like football can put your child’s teeth at risk for severe physical harm. Ask your pediatric dentist about a special mouthguard designed to protect your child’s smile during any physical activity.

Visit a Pediatric Dentist Today

If it’s been six months since your child’s last checkup, it’s time to schedule an appointment with Nia Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics today so we can help your child take the best preventative dental care steps to last a lifetime. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with professional cleanings to help keep teeth strong and healthy. Tooth sealants are also an option to be discussed during your child’s dental appointment. These sealants “seal” the grooves in the teeth to prevent decay from forming in these difficult-to-reach areas.

To schedule an appointment, contact us today so we can help your child stay on course for a healthy and happy smile.