3 Tips For Looking After Your Children’s Oral Health

Here at Beyond Dental, we strongly believe in instilling a life-long passion and interest in your oral health, and that starts with your child’s first visit to the dentist! Children’s oral health is vital to their overall health and wellbeing and looking after your child’s teeth at an early age protects them against developing problems as they grow older and also helps to set good dental habits. 

It’s important that when looking after your children’s oral health, you do so in a way that makes them want to continue and learn more, rather than them seeing it as a chore that they won’t want to do. It’s also important that you help them to learn the importance of looking after their oral health and what it means for them in the future. With that in mind, here are 3 tips for looking after your children’s oral health. 

Arrange Their First Dentist Appointment

It is recommended that children should visit the dentist as soon as their first milk tooth starts to appear. This isn’t just so our dentists can check your children’s oral health and teeth, but more so that we can get them used to the environment, sounds and smells and become more familiar with the surroundings. 

Visiting the dentist can be quite a lot for a baby to take in, which is why we recommend that they come along for appointments as and when you do. Even just getting your little one to open their mouth for the dentist to look at is great practice for the future. We’ll also be able to give you tips on how to identify any potential problems with your children’s oral health and how to prevent decay in the future as more teeth come through. If you’re looking to arrange your baby’s first dentist appointment, please contact us today and we can get this sorted for you!

Dedicated Brush Stops for little ones to brush their teeth before their appointment

Get Them Used To Brushing Their Teeth

Getting your children used to using a toothbrush is a big step in teaching your child to look after their teeth and protecting your children’s oral health. There are children’s toothbrushes that are soft and small enough for baby’s mouths which you can use as soon as their first tooth cuts through. It’s also important to get your child used to the taste of toothpaste. 

You should use a toothpaste that doesn’t contain fluoride whilst your baby can’t spit it out and then move onto a fluoride toothpaste once they are old enough. Start off with a small dab of toothpaste on their toothbrush whilst they get used to the taste and sensation of brushing, then build up to a pea-sized amount as they get older. 

Follow A Healthy Diet

Children who eat a lot of sugary foods and drinks are at high risk of developing cavities. It’s important not only to provide your children with a healthy diet for their overall health, but for your children’s oral health, too. Making healthy food choices is important to ensure your child is eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and avoiding consuming too much sugar. 

You don’t need to restrict sugar completely, but limit the consumption of sweet snacks and drinks, such as fruit juice and sweets, in between meals. If your child does have sugary foods or drinks, then make sure they brush their teeth around half an hour later. 

Helping You To Look After Your Children’s Oral Health

At Beyond Dental, our team are on hand to help you in any way they can, including getting your child used to visiting the dentist. We’re as passionate about your children’s oral health as you are and will do everything we can to help you prepare your children for their dentist visits. 

We’re a private, family dentist, meaning that not only do we have luxurious treatment facilities, but the luxury of time. We can spend time with your child teaching them brushing techniques or simply just getting them used to the dentist behind the mask. If you would like to arrange a dental appointment for your child, or have any questions on your children’s oral health, contact us today!