Regularly, the newspaper headlines mention child tooth decay and how younger and younger children are needing fillings.
These headlines are scary for all of us, but luckily, there is so much we can do so our own children are not part of this trend.
Your local dentist in Egham wants to help you ensure your children have great oral health with these useful tips:
Bring Your Child To The Dentist Before They Even Have Teeth
You can start wiping your child's gums with a clean, warm cloth when they are a baby to get them used to you touching their mouth and to help keep the area clean. You can also bring them to the dentist with you to help them get comfortable with the environment. As soon as they have their first tooth, it is time for their very first dental appointment where your Egham dentist will be happy to greet them and give them their very first checkup!
Oral Care At Home Once Your Child Is Teething
Once your baby is teething, you can brush their teeth with an infant-friendly toothbrush. If you want advice on this, please speak to your Egham dentist and hygienist. You will want to minimise the amount of toothpaste being swallowed by your child and at age 2 your child should learn how to spit out toothpaste during brushing. Up to the age of 8 you will supervise your child's brushing to help them if needed and to ensure they are brushing properly. From the very beginning of teaching them oral care you should try to get them into the morning and evening brushing for two minutes routine so they get used to it as soon as possible.
Helping Your Child Avoid Tooth Decay
This is a big concern for parents who are understandably worried by the headlines regarding sugar and tooth decay in children. It is important to note that no amount of brushing can help a diet that is packed with sugar and acidic foods so, the important thing is to ensure your child eats a balanced diet. Sugar can be hidden in many different foods and drinks and it can be a minefield choosing the right products. The BDA website (British Dental Association) will tell you what is being done to help in the war on sugar and in the meantime, try to stick to wholefoods as much as possible and read labels carefully. The governments Change4Life website has lots of help on choosing healthy snacks and meal choices, and there is even an app you can use that enables you to scan foods to find out what is really in them.
A Good Oral Health Regime
Along with a balanced diet, an excellent oral health regime can help your child avoid all kinds of oral issues. Most teeth and gum problems are preventable. Brushing for twice a day for two minutes each time is important, and your Egham dentist and hygienist can let your child know how to brush properly. To support a good oral health regime in the home it is also a good idea to:
Crown House Dental In Egham Is Here To Support The Whole Family!
Your Egham dentist is here to support the whole family with their oral health; from your youngest child, to your great grandad, we are here to help keep the whole family smiling with happy, healthy teeth. If you need to register, want to bring your child in for their first checkup, or you have any questions or queries regarding oral health for your children, please call us on 01784432641 and we will be pleased to help.