When you have young kids, it might feel like a struggle to keep up with your children's doctor's appointments, daily routines and healthy habits. It's easy to let certain things slide, like encouraging your kids to brush their teeth before bed.
However, oral hygiene should top your list of things to help your kids with. Your children will have a lifelong relationship with their teeth. And even though baby teeth eventually fall out, they play an important role in your child's life. These early years teach your kids good habits with brushing and flossing, and the baby teeth save space for adult teeth to grow in properly.
So how can you help your child practice good oral hygiene and prepare for their first dental visit? We'll let you know in our blog below. With some simple preparation, you can set your children up for a lifetime of good health.
Practice Hygiene While They're Young
The sooner you start taking care of your kids' teeth, the sooner they'll learn to make good oral hygiene a habit. You can do certain things while your kids are young that will help their teeth stay healthy for life.
Clean Your Babies' Teeth
Start cleaning your babies' mouths as early as possible. Even before they have teeth, you can wipe their gums with a soft damp cloth every night before they go to bed. Once their teeth do come in, use a soft-bristled infant-sized toothbrush and water to gently clean their teeth each day. This will get them used to cleaning their teeth, which encourages good habits and prepares them for visits to the dentist.
Discourage Sucking Habits
Kids have a natural urge to suck. But while this urge helps them drink milk when they're young, it can lead to problems later if it causes them to suck their thumbs. Most kids stop sucking their thumbs sometime between ages two and four. However, if the habit continues after their permanent teeth come in, it can cause palate and alignment problems.
If your children suck their thumbs often or aggressively, discourage the habit while they're still toddlers. This way, the dentist will never have to intervene.
Make the First Appointment Early
Your children should visit the dentist sooner than you might think. Shortly after their first teeth come in, you need a good dentist to see them for a visit.
Research Dentists
Do some research about dentists in your area and find one who specialises in paediatric dentistry . You can also ask other parents for recommendations. While you might feel inclined to take your kids to your own dentist, they'll do better with someone who treats children all the time and knows how to make them feel comfortable.
Prepare Your Children
Once you've found the right dentist and made the first appointment, prepare your children for the visit.
Introduce Them to the Dentist
Ask your kids' dental office if they offer tours. If so, take your kids in before their appointment to meet the dentist and look around the office. Your kids will get to see what the tools look like and they'll become familiar with the staff.
Explain What Will Happen
Before you go in for the actual exam, explain the process to your children. Talk about how the dentist will use special tools to count and clean their teeth. Your kids will have a better experience if they know what to expect.
Provide an Incentive
Incentivise your children to sit patiently through their visit and cooperate with the dentist. Offer them a special toy or a day trip if they behave well and have clean, healthy teeth.
Your children's first dental visits don't have to be a struggle. Start prepping them early and find a good paediatric dentist in your area to give your kids a positive first experience and good lifelong habits.
