Are Your Kids Really Caring for Their Smiles? Part Two

Posted April 19, 2016

As a parent, you care a great deal about your kids’ health, and that certainly extends to their smiles. That’s why you struggle to get green vegetables off their plates and into their bodies, and why you consistently make sure they’re brushing their teeth. But do you sometimes worry that you should be doing more, to make sure their teeth and gums stay healthy? Oral health can affect a person’s overall wellbeing as well as his or her smile, since the gums and nerves carry blood from the mouth throughout the body. To keep your kids’ smiles and bodies healthy, it’s important to combine great dental hygiene with preventive dentistry and a proper diet. That way they can smile happily and healthily as they grow.

Preventive Checkups Are Crucial to Healthy Smiles

Even if your kids seem to be maintaining healthy smiles, it is still important to schedule regular dental checkups for them. For most patients, this means visiting the dentist at least twice a year.

These visits give the dentist an opportunity to check for dental issues, like cavities, to remove any plaque buildup that has developed, to provide restorative treatment (like fillings) as needed, and to offer sealants. Fluoride, for instance, can help prevent plaque’s ability to calcify onto the teeth.

Without professional cleanings, tartar can create an acidic environment, which can lead to tooth erosion and even gum disease. This is why even healthy smiles still require preventive dental visits.

Eating Healthy Foods and Avoiding Too Much Sugar Helps

A well-balanced diet, filled with plenty of fruits and vegetables, is also helpful for maintaining a healthy smile. Lean proteins and dairy can also provide the body and teeth with nutrients that are needed to remain strong.

Perhaps most importantly, avoiding too much sugar is crucial for preventing cavities. That’s because bacteria feeds on sugar. So keeping sugars to a minimum can help prevent dental issues.