Helping Kids Enjoy Better Oral Health From Home

Posted April 24, 2020

Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and your community from the spread of COVID-19. Which means for the moment, we cannot offer routine preventive treatments, such as checkups and dental cleanings. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist is looking what you can do to help your kids enjoy better oral health from home!

Brushing and Flossing

Kids of all ages need to brush their teeth! In fact, as soon as a baby’s first tooth erupts at age one, it should be cleaned twice daily. You can assist your younger children, and keep an eye on your older ones to make sure they aren’t rushing through the process. To properly clean teeth, kids need to brush for two minutes when they wake up and again before bed. Toddler aged children and older should use a fluoride toothpaste, which helps strengthen outer tooth enamel. As soon as teeth sit side-by-side, then flossing is essential too. Floss reaches places a toothbrush’s bristles simply cannot, so kids need to floss before bed every night. For younger ones, a floss pick may be easier to use and you may need to assist.

Healthier Snack Choices

The combination of boredom and stress is a recipe for snacking, and kids love nothing more than to snack on sugary and starchy items, like candy and chips. They also love sodas, fruit juices, energy drinks, and sports drinks. However, these items contain ingredients that feed harmful bacteria and increase the severity of plaque buildup. Over time, plaque buildup is linked to a greater risk of cavities and gingivitis. Encourage healthier snack choices, like fruits, veggies, nuts, cheeses, whole grain crackers, pretzels, and sugar-free gum. Little ones should be sure to drink more water too. Remember, your tap water actually contains fluoride, which helps smiles of all ages!

Watching for Signs of Trouble

Often, the most obvious warning signs of a dental emergency is an aching or sensitive tooth. Pain could be an indicator that a cavity or infection is present, and that treatment is necessary to prevent worsening symptoms or the premature loss of a tooth. If they report persistent pain, please contact our team so we can schedule a time to see us for treatment.

Do You Have Questions About Protecting Little Smiles From Cavities?

We want to help you and your little ones gain a better understanding of your oral health and the steps necessary to keep smiles bright and strong. To learn more about children’s dentistry,  by calling Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX today at 214-321-4880. We proudly serve patients who live around Casa Linda and all surrounding Dallas communities.