Worried About Your Kids’ Smiles? Teach Them Great Dental Care

Posted March 29, 2016

Do you feel like it’s an almost daily struggle to get your kids to take proper care of their teeth? If so, you are not alone. Many parents get frustrated while trying to teach their kids proper oral hygiene, which could explain the troubling statistics surrounding children oral health in this country. According to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation, 17 percent of American children are not receiving the oral care they need. So, while it may not always feel fun, it is important to teach your kids to care for their smiles from a young age, so they can enjoy healthy smiles as they grow!

Why Your Kids’ Oral Care Matters

Approximately one in five children, five to eleven-years-old has at least one untreated cavity, and over 40 percent of children will begin struggling with pediatric dental disease before they have even started kindergarten.

To help your kids enjoy healthy smiles, it’s important to make sure they brush and floss their teeth twice a day. Keep in mind that your kids will need assistance with both until they have developed enough dexterity to do so on their own. Once they’re able to tie their shoes and write their own name, they should be able to brush and floss with only supervision.

Of course, twice annual dental checkups are also crucial to maintaining healthy smiles. During a checkup and cleaning, the dentist will remove any plaque buildup, may recommend a dental sealant, and can also schedule restorative treatment if there are any cavities (or other dental problems) currently present.

Regular checkups also allow the dentist to monitor how your kids’ permanent teeth are coming in, and to alert you of any potential problems with their alignment, or their overall oral health.