DENTAL TIPS FOR KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!

Dental problems, like cavities, tooth decay, enamel breakdown and even serious problems like gum disease can start at a very young age. And unfortunately, a child who is not familiar with proper tooth care or dental visits could develop a fear of the dentist that lasts into adulthood. This will make it more unlikely that his teeth will be properly cared for in the future. So educate your child on good dental routines early on in his life.

1. Toothbrush Timer

   • It takes about two or three minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Buy your child a toothbrush that comes equipped with a timer to assure that she is brushing for more than just a few seconds (see "Resources" for an example). You can also use the timer as a way to gauge whether your child is brushing for the full amount of time.

   Incentives

   • Reward your child when she does things that will contribute to her overall dental health. For instance, if she flosses, brushes her teeth for the full three minutes every morning and night for a week, and eats a carrot instead of a lollipop, reward her with a gift or just give plenty of positive reinforcement. After a while, the child's commitment to dental care will likely become a matter of habit, even after the incentives are no longer there.

   Dental Visits

   • The earlier you start your child's routine of going to the dentist, the more likely he will be to continue the habit into adulthood. The first dentist visit should be at the age of 1. Take your child at least twice per year for checkups; more frequently if she is having problems with her teeth.

     Also, if the parent is afraid of going to the dentist, this could cause the child to have a negative opinion of going as well. So seek counseling to get over your own fear and make an appointment for yourself and your child.

   Stop Thumb Sucking

   • Continuous thumb sucking in a child past toddler-hood is a significant cause of dental problems. It can cause the top row of teeth to move forward permanently. To help prevent the need for braces and other orthodontic procedures later on, stop thumb sucking as soon as possible.

     Thumb sucking gives your child pleasure and is comfortable. So you have to make the thumb gross to your child. For instance, you can wrap the child's thumb with a band aid that has a dab of vinegar or horseradish on the pad.

   Models and Demonstrations

   • Take a cue from your dentist and provide models for your child to see what happens to the teeth when they are not brushed and flossed daily. Show the child a good tooth model and one that has weak enamel, gum problems or tooth decay. You may even choose to place the model of a good tooth in the bathroom for motivation when your child is brushing.

     Crest also has a very interesting experiment involving vinegar and an egg. You treat one side of the egg with toothpaste then dunk it in vinegar to show how the toothpaste side stays hard while the untreated side gets soft.

1. Remember, a child's dental care begins before birth.
A child's teeth form between the third and sixth month of pregnancy. An expectant mother must practice good health habits to ensure proper development of her unborn child's teeth. This means consuming plenty of calcium-rich foods such as leafy greens, fortified cereals and dairy or soy products.

2. Just because you can't see your baby's teeth doesn't mean they aren't there.
At birth, your baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are almost completely formed in the jaw. The first four teeth will usually erupt when the baby is between 6 months and 1 year, but that doesn't mean you can't do anything in the meantime. Simply wiping a baby's gums with a clean gauze pad after feeding will remove harmful plaque and bacteria.


3. Take your child to the dentist by his/her first birthday.
A dentist will check your 1-year-old for tooth decay, as well as identify fluoride needs and address any potentially dangerous habits such as thumb sucking.


4. Don't use toothpaste for children under 2.
As soon as the first teeth appear, brush teeth with a little bit of water. After children have reached the age of 2, toothpaste can be introduced in pea-sized amounts.


5. Teach your children the proper brushing techniques.
Most children will be able to brush their own teeth by age 6 or 7. Select for them a brush that has soft, rounded bristles and teach them to use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Show them how to use circular brush strokes to reach all surfaces of teeth, and make sure they spit out the toothpaste and rinse with water after brushing to avoid swallowing any toothpaste.


6. Don't forget the floss!
As soon as any two teeth touch, make sure that you use floss to clean between your child's teeth. This is the only way to avoid decay in places where a toothbrush can't reach.


7. Make trips to the dentist fun for your child.
It is important for your child to have a good attitude toward dental visits. Be positive and remind your child that the dentist is a friendly doctor who is helping to take care of his or her teeth. Set a good example yourself by brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting the dentist regularly.


8. Take an active role in your child's oral health.
You should always inform the dentist as to the status of your child's health. Tell the dentist if your child is ill, what medications your child may be taking and if your child has any known drug allergies. If you don't understand a dentist's recommendations for the treatment of your child, ask for a more detailed explanation. Ask if there are other treatments available for this problem and, if so, how these other options compare cost wise. Then ask which of these methods would be most effective in treating the problem.