During the month of February, dentists all over the world will be celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month. One way to acknowledge this special time is by helping your little one get excited about oral hygiene. Even the youngest smiles need (and deserve) proper care, which is why it is a team effort on behalf of you and your child’s pediatric dentist in Poway to come up with a plan to ensure good oral habits are established at an early age. To help you get started, here are a few suggestions you might try to get your child ready for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Use Positive Language When Discussing Dental Visits
Some children may be apprehensive or scared to go to the dentist’s office, but if you are one of the many parents who brought your child in for their first visit as a baby or toddler, this may not be as much of a problem. Either way, using positive language when talking about the dental checkup will keep your kids encouraged and excited. Reminding them of how fun these appointments can be will ensure their visit with a children’s dentist in Poway is stress-free and enjoyable.
Encourage Good Oral Hygiene Techniques
Until your child is a bit older (around 8 or 10), their manual dexterity is limited when it comes to brushing and flossing. This makes them more susceptible to tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. This is why it is best to help them with their oral hygiene routine until they feel more comfortable and confident in doing it themselves. Even then, make sure you’re monitoring their routine to ensure they are doing it properly and not harming their teeth or gums.
Establish a Well-Balanced Diet
If your child is like most kids their age, they could live off soda, candy, and potato chips. Unfortunately, these are neither healthy or beneficial for their body or mouth. As a result, they can face a multitude of oral health problems if allowed to consume these foods and beverages from an early age. When sugar and starch sit on the teeth for too long, it can cause bacteria to form and spread, leading to cavities and severe tooth decay.
Instead of allowing them to feast on things that will do nothing but harm them as they grow, establish a well-balanced diet consisting of lean proteins, dairy, leafy greens, healthy carbohydrates, and of course, fruits and vegetables.
These are all great tips to remember when your little one is just started their path to good oral health. While it may not always be easy, a dentist for kids in Poway can help. By talking to them about the struggles or obstacles you face, they can offer resources and recommendations that will help you and your child move past the hurdles and get back on track.
About the Author
Dr. Sambath “Dr. Sam” Tiep wants your child to feel good about their smile. Understanding that oral hygiene isn’t the easiest to come by in little ones, she and her team at Bright Pediatric Smiles can help make learning about oral health fun and exciting. Using her knowledge and expertise, Dr. Sam will show your child how to properly brush, floss, and rinse as well as provide tips and tools you can use at home. As a board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Sam completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry before finishing the Pediatric Dentistry Program at Interfaith Medical Center. To learn more about her, visit our website or call (858) 943-0750.