subject: Understanding Proper Dental Care For Your Children Will Help Keep Them Smiling Longer [print this page] As parents know, kids require a lot of extra care and attention in order to help them grow up healthy and strong. This includes eating a well-balanced diet, visiting the doctor regularly for check ups and practicing good safety precautions. However, when mapping out your child's health and wellness plan, don't forget about oral health as an important part of your child's daily health routine. Dental care plays a major role in general health, and it should start before the first tooth emerges.
Encouraging your kids to take good care of their teeth and gums may be more important than you realize. In fact, tooth decay affects children more than any other chronic infectious disease, and untreated dental diseases can lead to serious pain and infection that cause additional problems with eating, speaking, socializing and learning. Thankfully, when your child visits Dr. Latham, they will be greeted with happy, friendly staff. Your dentist is also proud to offer a day just for kids, two or three times a year where children can enjoy a clown, face painting, games and balloon animals in order to promote dental awareness.
Show your Child How to Maintain Proper Oral Care
The 4 minutes your child spends brushing in the morning and at night are some of the most important minutes of the day and the best way to keep teeth strong and healthy. When your child is very young, even before the teeth appear, you can clean the gums with a soft, damp washcloth after every feeding. Once the first tooth surfaces, you can begin to brush the teeth using a soft-bristled baby's toothbrush. When your child is old enough, show him how to brush on his own. With time, your child will grow up recognizing the steps involved with good oral hygiene.
To help kids protect their teeth and gum, follow these simple steps:
*Brush twice a day
*Provide regular, well-balanced meals for your kids, and limit starchy or sugary foods which cause plaque build up
*Avoid frequent snacking between meals
*Make sure your child's teeth are getting enough fluoride
*Ask your dentist about dental sealants as a great way to protect teeth from decay
*Take your children to the dentist for regular cleanings and check ups.
Visiting Your Toledo, OH Dentist
Regular visits to the dentist are one of the most important steps to good dental health. Being proactive and seeing the dentist before there are problems is the best way for your child to have a great visit and to enjoy going to the dentist.
It is important that your child see a dentist by age one to establish a long-term dental hygiene plan and a professional dental cleaning routine. Focusing on prevention and maintenance, your child's dentist can help ward off dental diseases before they occur and establish an oral health plan that works for your child into adulthood.
Good dental health at a young age is an investment in your child's health. Talk to Dr. Latham about how you can help your child achieve a lifetime of healthy smiles.
by: Gen Wright
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