We love teaching kids and their parents how to take the best care of their teeth every day. However, dental care for kids doesn’t end at the dental clinic.

There are a number of key things to keep in mind when it comes to keeping your kid’s teeth in tip-top condition.

Baby teeth matter

Baby teeth will eventually fall out to make way for the adult teeth but cleaning them is still important. If decay causes them to be removed, it can cause crowding when your kids’ adult teeth emerge.

Ensure your children brush twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, which they shouldn’t swallow, remembering to brush for 2 minutes at a time. Use an egg timer to make time keeping fun for your child. Flossing should be introduced when they are able to do it for themselves and should start when they have 2 teeth that are in contact.

Regular dental visits

At the age of 1 at the latest, or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing, your child should see their dentist regularly and understand that visiting the dentist is an important part of growing up. The Australian Dental Association recommends that children should visit the dentist for a regular check-up once every 6 months to maintain good oral health.

Good eating and drinking habits

To develop strong teeth, your children need a healthy, balanced diet made up of fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese and lean meats. High sugar foods should be kept to a minimum and they should drink plenty of fluoridated tap water.

5 dental care tips for kids to stop decay in its tracks

  1. Avoid snacks that are sticks, gummy, chewy or sweet.
  2. Avoid grazing! Have set meal times and form a routine.
  3. Limit fruit to two servings per day. Fruit is good but too much can be harmful.
  4. Give your kids water with every meal to help wash away lingering food.
  5. Be selective with snacks (remember snacks are meals in between main meals so they should be light and low in sugar). Vegies, cheeses and lean meats are great and tasty options.

Babies can get decay too

Never put soft drinks, juice, flavoured milk or anything sweet in your baby’s bottle. You are exposing them to high concentrations of sugar for long periods of time which is a recipe for decay. A bottle with water is ok.

How to check if your child has decay

It’s wise to check every now and then.

Lift up their top lip, roll down their bottom lip so you can see the gums and look for white patches on the teeth that are close to the gum and don’t come off after brushing. This is a sign that tooth decay might be a problem. However, if you see grey, brown or black spots anywhere on the teeth this is not a good sign and you should book an appointment with your dentist straight away.

A change in behaviour or if your child is kept awake at night can also be a sign of tooth decay.

Dental Emergency

Accidents happen! And when they do, your kids’ teeth may get knocked out or damaged. Familiarising yourself with dental first aid means that you will be well prepared for handling a dental emergency correctly.

[Related Article: Children’s Dental Emergencies]

It’s never too early to begin teaching good oral hygiene to your children. Behaviours learnt when they’re young tend to stick with them throughout life.

Perfect Dental offers the best in children’s dentistry in Fairfield NSW. We are a fun and friendly kid’s dentist and we love making your kids smile.