Setting and maintaining healthy hygiene habits for your child is vitally important for a long lasting healthy smile. The state of your child’s teeth and gums also has a big impact on their overall health and well-being. Bring your child to see us at Bulimba Dental, in Brisbane, for an overall assessment of their dental health. Make sure you catch any problems early before they cause further damage and the need for expensive procedures in the future.
Baby teeth are important
The health of your child’s baby teeth is extremely significant when it comes to the future of their smile. While baby teeth aren’t permanent, their health and longevity is still very important, as they lay the foundation for the state of the adult teeth. If the baby teeth become decayed or fall out prematurely, the adult teeth, gums and jaw may be compromised. So make sure you practise good dental hygiene from the moment your child’s first baby tooth appears.
Keep tooth decay away
Maintaining good dental habits and a healthy, active lifestyle are the easiest way to keep tooth decay away. By combining good nutrition with good dental habits, the body is best positioned to fight nasty decay, and keep the teeth and gums as healthy and happy as possible.
Dental habits for a healthy smile
- Brush twice per day for 2 full minutes
- Floss daily
- Maintain regular dental check-ups – that means visiting your dentist for a check-up and clean every 6 months. This should become a habit from the time your child’s first baby tooth comes through.
- If your child shows any signs of decay, see your dentist for preventive treatments and interventions to prevent further damage. Fissure sealants are a great preventive treatment for children’s teeth that may be weakened by decay. Sealants consist of a layer of clear or white glue coated on the affected tooth. It seals off the tooth to avoid further food and bacteria penetrating the tooth and causing further decay.
Healthy lifestyle habits
Encourage your child to practise these lifestyle habits for a healthy smile, as well as a healthy mind and body.
Limit sugar intake. Limiting sugar intake isn’t just good for your child’s teeth – it goes a long way in helping to prevent diseases like obesity and diabetes.
- Avoid refined sugars like lollies, chocolates, chips, and pastries
- Replace sugary drinks with water
- Soft drink isn’t the only drink high in sugar and acid, fruit juice can be just as bad for tooth decay
Drink plenty of water. Have a glass of water after eating and drinking to dilute bacteria and promote saliva flow, which also helps to break down acidic plaque.
Don’t snack constantly throughout the day. The more often you eat, the more often your teeth are exposed to bacteria and harmful decay. If you’re constantly reaching for chips or other snacks, your teeth will constantly be coated in the sugars that harmful bacteria feed on.
Eat fresh. Fresh fruit and vegetables are not only filled with healthy vitamins and enzymes – they’re also good for the teeth. Fresh vegetables encourage chewing, which promotes saliva flow and breaks down bacteria.
Children’s Dentist Brisbane
If you think your child may need orthodontics or you would like more information about orthodontic treatments, contact Smile Perfection, based in Aspley and Chermside.