Tooth decay is one of the biggest health challenges facing children today.

It’s a problem that is growing thanks to the abundance of sugar filled food and drinks on sale these days. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not a problem that parents can’t combat. With a few simple guidelines, you can keep your children’s teeth healthy.

Below you will find a detailed guide on how to prevent tooth decay in kids. There is nothing complicated about any of this advice, but it could be very good for your child’s dental hygiene.

Regular Brushing

Regular Brushing is the cornerstone of any dental hygiene routine. If your child is not brushing their teeth properly, then this is the first thing that needs to be changed. There is a right way and a wrong way to brush your teeth. This is true for adults and children alike. Obviously, it’s vital for your child to brush their teeth twice a day, without fail. It should be done first thing in the morning and before they go to bed.

They should brush for two minutes at a time. This will help to make sure that they brush every tooth thoroughly and don’t just skip over them quickly. Not brushing properly is not much better than not brushing at all, and you should remind your child of that fact. It’s important to show them how to brush each side of each tooth as well. That’s the only way to avoid decay.

Flossing

Flossing reaches those places that are not always reached when your child brushes their teeth. It helps to remove all those small food particles and plaque that might be lingering on and between their teeth. This is something that should be done at least once a day. It doesn’t really need to be done more regularly than that. There are differently flossing techniques, but the basic one is best.

You just need to take about 12 inches of floss and then move it between each gap in their teeth. This is something that parents have to do for small children. But they should be able to get the hang of it as they get a little older. You should aim to get anything that is on the gumline as well. Your dentist will be able to advise you on any flossing methods that are more applicable to your child.

Mouthwash

Using mouthwash once a day can also help to prevent tooth decay. This is something that should not be done immediately after brushing though. This could harm your child’s gums and mouth if you’re not careful. Therefore, you could ask them to do it once during the day, such as after lunch or when they get home from school. It’s best for them to do it at some point in the middle of the day.

The mouthwash product that you choose should contain fluoride. This is the best thing for keeping decay at bay. But because you are buying a mouthwash for your child, it’s important to also make sure that it is alcohol-free too. As long as you look for a product that says it is suitable for children of your child’s age, then you shouldn’t have any problems. There are plenty of mouthwash products like that.

Diet

What your child eats will play a big part in how healthy their teeth are. If they are eating foods that are filled with sugar, then this will not be good for their teeth at all. You should put a limit on the amount of sugar that they consume on a day to day basis. Most of the sugar consumed by children comes in the form of processed foods. So, opt for the natural and fresh options instead.

If you replaced the processed snacks with fruit, they would still get natural sugars, and their teeth would be better off. You should think about juice as well. Many parents don’t realise how much sugar is packed into drinks aimed at young children. That’s why you should always check the sugar contents on the label.

Dental Checkups

Your child’s pediatric dentist will play a very important role in their ongoing dental health as well. It’s very important to take your child to the family dentist a couple of times a year. They will be able to monitor their overall dental health and pick up on any problems. Even if you think they’re doing fine, it’s important to let an expert carry out a checkup.

If your child experiences any problems that are out of the ordinary, such as a toothache, take them to your Katy Texas dentist ASAP. This could be a sign that tooth decay has already started. By getting the problem seen to as quickly as possible, you might be able to stop the worst of it. But it will take a long-term approach to stop the problem returning.

Use Straws for Drinks

It’s a good idea for your child to use a straw to drink from when they’re young. Their teeth are particularly vulnerable at this age, so it’s important to keep them protected. By using a straw, sugary drinks will be stopped from washing over your child’s teeth. This is a great way to protect their teeth from sugar that is likely to cause tooth decay. It’s one of those tricks that not many think of, but it can cause a big difference to a child’s dental health.

Lead By Example

As a parent of a child, it’s up to you to lead by example when it comes to dental hygiene. You can’t expect your child to do the right thing if you don’t. And children look up to their parents. So, they will be more likely to stick to their brushing and flossing routines if they see you doing the same thing. When everyone in the house has good dental hygiene, it also lowers the risk of dental bugs and infections being passed around. When your children are young, it’s a good idea to brush and floss together to get them into the habit of doing it.