As a parent, seeing your child in pain is the last thing you want. The good news is that you can dramatically reduce the chances of them experiencing a serious dental injury, like a persistent toothache or knocked-out tooth. If you’re interested in learning more, then keep reading for five simple ways to protect your child’s smile from harm.
1. Encourage Good Brushing and Flossing Habits
Remember, teeth that are free of decay are significantly less likely to become damaged. That’s one of the many reasons it’s so important to encourage good oral hygiene best practices, like brushing twice a day and flossing each evening before bed. As your child’s fine motor skills develop, this may require some supervision, so consider doing your dental care regimen together!
2. Schedule a Dental Checkup and Cleaning Twice a Year
From the time your child’s first tooth comes in (or their first birthday), they should be visiting their pediatric dentist. These routine appointments are crucial because they ensure the parts of their mouth that are hard-to-reach are cleaned and that any oral health problems that do arise are treated early on.
3. Reinforce Good Habits, Like Wearing a Mouthguard
Each year, roughly five million teeth are knocked-out during sports-related accidents. So, if your child is on their school’s soccer team, they participate in gymnastics after school, or they like playing a pick-up game of football with friends in the evening, they need to wear a mouthguard.
4. Replace Your Child’s Toothbrush Every Quarter
The American Dental Association recommends getting a new toothbrush every three months or so, and the same goes for your child! After all, frayed and old bristles don’t effectively remove food particles, plaque, and other debris. Plus, it’s a good idea to consistently reassess that the size and type of toothbrush is the best one for your child’s age.
5. Fill Your Child’s Plate with Smile-Friendly Foods
As you may know, foods and drinks with added sugar are one of the leading causes of cavities. So, it’s important to find smile-friendly options that your child loves! This may take some time and experimenting, but it’s worth it when it comes to something as important as their oral health.
About the Practice
Although our board-certified pediatric dentist is here to help with everything from routine checkups to sudden emergency care, we want to help your child avoid the latter too! That’s why our team at KidSmiles Dental and Orthodontics focuses on preventive dentistry – from how to maintain your child’s smile at home to providing thorough cleanings. If you want to learn more about how to protect your child’s smile from harm, then don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us via our website or by phone at (972) 884-5450.
