Preventative dental care for your children is an investment in their future. It can be compared to some of the other things parents do for their children during youth, including seeing to it that they get a good education, seeing to it that they receive proper nutrition, and seeing to it that their emotional well-being is taken care of. If children receive proper oral health care in youth, this will help prevent problems in the future. The oral health care habits that children develop when they are young set them up for a lifetime of good oral health. Dental problems aren’t always immediately apparent, which is why preventative dentistry for your children is so important.
Why Parents Should Start Oral Hygiene Training Early
When children are helped to establish a preventative dentistry routine for their oral health early on, they will learn how to take steps to protect their baby teeth. The health of a child’s baby teeth determines how their permanent teeth will grow. Protecting the child’s baby teeth will help them develop good chewing habits and will help them develop proper speech habits. When children learn the benefits of taking care of their teeth at an early age, it helps them to develop habits that they will do automatically as they get older.
How Early Should Parents Start Preventative Dentistry?
There is no such thing as too early for preventative dentistry. Even when a child is an infant, parents should be cleaning their gums. As their baby teeth start to appear, parents should brush their child’s teeth twice a day. You should spend about two minutes on the brushing process. You want to use a toothbrush that is small and that has soft bristles. The goal is to reach all of your child’s teeth, gently cleaning each one. As soon as your child has two teeth side-by-side that are touching each other, start the flossing process. If you feel nervous about flossing your child’s teeth at such an early age talk to one of our professionals. We will be happy to guide you.
Teach Your Children to Care for Their Teeth
Parents should start teaching their children to brush and floss their teeth on their own as soon as they have the motor skills and confidence to do so. Parents can help get children involved in the process by allowing them to pick their favorite toothpaste and toothbrushes that have their favorite cartoon characters or superheroes on them. The goal is to establish a preventative dentistry routine early. Help your children understand that preventative care helps fight cavities, gum disease, and a whole host of other dental issues.
Take Your Child to the Dentist Regularly
During your visits with us, our oral health professionals will help you determine how frequently you should bring your children in for care. Some children will benefit from dental visits every six months. Others may benefit from annual dental visits. By investing the time and energy required to bring your child to the dentist regularly, you are investing in the future of your children’s oral health.
Contact Ashburn Children’s Dentistry, located in Ashburn, VA, to schedule your consultation today!
