Tips for Maintaining Healthy Teeth

Dental care is an important part of supporting oral health care in children. Proper dental care helps to give children the foundations to developing healthy, strong teeth. Toddlers as early as 1 year old are ready to visit the dentist and get a basic cleaning, and from then on, parents have the responsibility to ensure that their children have dental checkups. Pediatric dentists recommend that children receive a dental check-up every six months to help prevent dental problems in the future. In addition to visiting the dentist periodically, many parents search for tips and resources on how to protect their children’s teeth.

Maintaining a balanced diet of foods in the five food groups and minimizing the consumption of candy, chips, sugary juices and soda drinks can go a long way in preventing cavities and tooth decay. Parents should always brush their children’s teeth in the morning and before bedtime with fluoride toothpaste. In addition to brushing and flossing daily, there are several strategies that parents can use to help promote healthy teeth in children, which can lead to healthy teeth in adulthood.

Studies show that cheese provides calcium and protein for the body to help support strong bones and healthy teeth. Recent studies have also shown that cheese protects the teeth from acid build-up and cavities by helping to clear away debris that causes bacteria and tooth decay. The calcium and phosphorous in cheese also help to replace lost minerals in teeth caused by acid. Some of the well-liked types of sliced cheese and cheese sticks that children love are Cheddar, Mozzarella and Swiss. They are great products to add with meals and for snacks.

Sippy cups are used to help toddlers transition from bottles to regular drinking cups. Many parents of toddlers allow their children to drink sugary drinks throughout the day. However, dental experts believe that toddlers who regularly drink sugary beverages from sippy cups are at risk for developing cavities and tooth decay at an early age. There has been increase over the years in cavities found in toddlers from ages 2 to 5 years old. Experts recommend that parents reduce the amount of sugary drinks in sippy cups, except during mealtime, and replace the drinks with water. This is a healthy tip to prevent dental decay as well as costly dental problems.

It’s beneficial to find a dentist who specializes in pediatric dentists, especially for toddlers and young children. When you take your toddler to the dentist for the first time, pediatric dentists are well trained in many techniques to help children remain comfortable and happy during the visit. Pediatric dentists are also experts at finding fun ways to help children overcome the fear of getting a dental checkup. There are helpful resources online to search for pediatric dentists in your area. Popular dentistry networks, such as Kool Smiles, provide a convenient way for parents to search online for pediatric dentists near specific cities and zip codes. These types of dentistry networks are well-known in cities around the country.