Despite popular belief, it’s not inevitable that children get cavities! Simple lifestyle habits can help set your child up for success with gum and teeth health and even heart health. Taking advantage of kids’ dentistry in Monroe Township, NJ is just one tool in your attack on plaque. Take a look at these ways you can help your child avoid cavities.
1. Early Childhood Dental Visits
Did you know you should take your child to the dentist when their first tooth comes in or by the time they turn one? Not only can early dental visits calm anxieties later, but early visits are essential in protecting the health of baby teeth.
2. Regular Brushing and Flossing
Good dental habits begin early, and reinforcing them along the way helps too. But it’s easy for families and kids to get busy and forget to brush and floss twice a day. Make it a “non-negotiable” part of the day and try brushing with your child or providing fun toothpastes and brushes to motivate them.
3. Limiting Sugar
Kids who frequently consume soft drinks, juice, and sugary cereals and snack foods have a higher chance of cavities. When kids sip or eat sugary drinks and foods throughout the day, their teeth are continuously coated with a sticky substance that can form plaque. Keep snacking at specific times of day so that you can help your child brush their teeth regularly.
4. Skipping Sips at Bedtime
When infants and toddlers go to bed with milk or juice, bacteria get to work on their teeth and gums, depositing eroding acids on the enamel. Offer only water for your child in bed and be sure to brush their teeth and gums with a soft, wet cloth after nursing.
5. Semi-Annual Visits to the Dentist
Healthy baby teeth help save space for permanent teeth and promote good speaking patterns. Regular dentist visits helps identify problems early on!
If you’re ready to explore kids’ dentistry in Monroe Township, NJ, call our office today! We’d love to meet your child and help set them up for a lifetime of good dental health.
