With all of the junk food available these days, we’re in a uphill battle with cavities. There are those kids who will get cavities no matter how diligent the child and parent are in taking care of their teeth, but it can and will be much worse if we, as parents, don’t teach our kids to take care of themselves and their teeth. (Munchkin was one of those kids that got cavities even though we were diligent with oral hygiene and diet.)
Brushing Your Teeth:
Ideally, kids should be brushing their teeth after each meal, but honestly, this isn’t realistic for most people. What is realistic is making sure they are properly brushing their teeth in the morning and before bed. A great way to assure they are brushing long enough is to get them a toothbrush with a timer or setting a timer.
Until the kids get use to brushing their teeth, parents should be checking after each brushing. There are fun mouth washes available to show plaque that many kids love. If you have a kiddo who doesn’t like to brush, you may want to check into that. Also, allow the child to pick out their toothbrush. The electric toothbrushes work better than manual.
When kids can’t brush after meals, they can wash their mouths out with water.
Floss:
Kids need to get into the habit of flossing every day. We have Munchkin floss in the evening before bed. We started this with her at a young age, so it’s a habit for her. Trying to use traditional floss can be a bit overwhelming, so I recommend grabbing an already strung flosser. Have the kids pick out their favorite color.
Drink More Water:
While those sugary drinks and juices may taste good, they are not good for the teeth. Cut back on the sugary drinks and add more water. Even milk isn’t good when left on the teeth. Make sure that the kids are drinking anything but water prior to heading to bed.
Eat More Veggies:
Veggies make excellent snacks and are better for the kids health. Sugary snacks are more likely to lead to cavities. Keep veggies cut up and readily available to the kids. Many times, kids will reach for the sugary, high fat snacks because they are easy and fast. If the veggies are already prepared, it’s easy for them to grab them and go.
Dental Visits:
As much as they may not like it, dental visits and regular cleanings are part of oral health. When possible, visit the same dentist, so kids can develop a trust of the dentist. Make sure your dentist is kid friendly and that the kids are comfortable with the dentist. Dental visits should not be dreaded.
It’s our responsibility to set a good example to our kids, so we need to make sure we are leading by doing.
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