This month’s blog post is especially for parents and guardians who are responsible for young children.
We hope to make things a little easier for you and give you a couple of tips on how to include low-stress
ways to make oral hygiene simpler. After all, we’ve been providing children’s dentistry services for quite some time!
Pediatric oral care should ideally begin as early as the child begins to have teeth erupt and it doesn’t
need to be difficult or time consuming, especially for infants. However, like many things we teach our
children, the sooner we introduce oral care into their routines, the more successful it will be. It’s
important to note that while children will start getting adult teeth beginning around age five, the habits
they set up early on can help set them up for a lifetime of good oral hygiene. At age five most children
are not ready to be fully responsible for their health. While most young children won’t sit still for the
recommended two minutes of brushing, some brushing is still better than no brushing and you can work
your way up as they get used to the activity. Using a fun timer and a toothbrush they like can help
encourage them to sit through the brushing and give infants and toddlers something to occupy their
hands as you brush.
A healthy diet is also key for good oral health: plenty of calcium and not very much sugar (the American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 25 grams of added sugar a day for children) will help
prevent cavities and keep teeth strong. One of the easiest and least expensive things you can do as a
parent is to cut sources of extra sugar in a child’s diet: fruit juices, soda, sugary snacks, and candy. That’s
not to say you can’t have treats, but they shouldn’t be a staple and it’s important to make sure you
brush twice a day to help counteract the effects of the sugar.
Twice yearly visits to a dentist are another key factor in supporting a healthy mouth, especially for young
patients. The dentist can catch small issues before they become big problems, they can help with
preventative care like cleanings and fluoride varnishes, and they’re a caregiver’s partner in teaching
children the importance of brushing and how to do it properly. They can also help you know if an
orthodontist’s intervention may be helpful in either correcting a defect or, in some cases, preventing a
problem. If you live in Liberty, Ramseur, Snow Camp, or Asheboro and you’re looking for a dentist, give
us a call and let us help you set your children up for a lifetime of health.
At Liberty Dentistry Smiles, we’re very proud of our pediatric dental care service. We can’t wait to hear from you!
