Children are susceptible to cavities, but what else should you look out for regarding dental care for children? At what age are they supposed to start brushing their teeth? How do you know what requires dental health care for preschoolers? The different seasons present new challenges for your child’s oral health. Let’s explore a few of those challenges and what you can do to combat them.
Dental Care for Children
Health care professionals recommend that you monitor your child’s oral health before they even get their first tooth. Use a damp wash cloth to gently wipe their gums and eliminate harmful bacteria in your baby’s mouth.
You can get an infant toothbrush when their teeth start to come in. You should take your baby to the dentist before their first birthday to detect oral problems as early as possible and get into the routine of frequently visiting the dentist. When you start good oral habits early, you are setting your kids up for success with their oral health.
Dental Care During the Seasons
You can plan your child’s dental work according to the seasons to ensure they maintain optimal oral health. Oral health is vital to your child’s overall health because it can affect every aspect of their bodily wellness. There are a few things to watch for and avoid every season for your kiddo’s pearly whites.
Spring
Spring is a refreshing time – out with the old and in with the new. Harmful bacteria can build up on your toothbrush, leading to sickness. So, ensure you change your kid’s toothbrush once every three months, at least when they are under the weather.
Electric toothbrushes typically come with exchangeable brush heads that you can switch out. Clean the top under the toothbrush head before putting a new brush on the body of the electric toothbrush. Germs and bacteria can grow underneath the exchangeable brush heads and cause your child to become sick. So, make sure it’s clean under there before you swap out the brush heads.
Summer
Summer is an excellent time to schedule dentist and orthodontist appointments as dental care for children. Since school is out, you don’t have to worry about taking your child out of school for screenings or exams. Orthodontist appointments can be lengthy, so you might want to limit the appointments during the school year as much as possible.
Orthodontists specialize in the orientation of your child’s teeth and any overbites. Most recommend that your child gets an evaluation from an orthodontist by the time they’re 7 years old to ensure they don’t have any oral issues that require treatment. Catching oral problems early is essential to dental care in children. If you catch issues early, you can work on treating the issue and preventive measures to ensure optimal dental care for your children.
Fall
Fall is a transitional season that brings cooler weather and lots of sweet treats that can harm your kiddo’s teeth. Do your best to limit your child’s sugar intake during the fall holidays that warrant candy and other sweet goodies.
Halloween is the worst time of year for your child’s oral health. You should eat candy in moderation if you allow it in your kid’s diet. Monitor your child’s sugar intake for oral health and overall wellness.
Try to offer alternative options for them instead. Apples are sweet and don’t have the same effect on causing tooth decay. Letting them have a little caramel on their fruit will add a touch of sweetness that poses less of a risk of harming their enamel or causing cavities.
Peanut butter is an even better option than caramel to provide extra sweetness to a fall treat. You can serve your child peanut butter with apples, bananas, and celery for a delicious treat that’s also good for them.
Winter
Cold weather can affect your teeth and cause increased sensitivity in your child’s mouth, especially in little ones. Winter poses many risks to children’s oral health, such as the air becoming dry and causing dehydration and tooth sensitivity.
Ensure they stay hydrated to help maintain optimal dental health for preschoolers. Water can strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent your mouth from drying out. When your mouth is dry, bacteria are more likely to grow and will require more dental care for children.
Seasonal Dental Care for Children
Routinely taking your kids to the dentist, watching what they eat, and supervising them when they brush are all excellent ways to maintain optimal dental health for preschoolers. Continue to monitor your child’s oral hygiene throughout adolescence to ensure they take adequate care of their little teeth.
Writer Bio
Beth is the Managing Editor and content manager at Body+Mind. She shares knowledge on a variety of topics related to nutrition, healthy living, and anything food-related. In her spare time, Beth enjoys trying out new fitness trends and recipes.
