One of our goals at Johnson Family Dental in Paducah, KY is to create healthy smiles that will last a lifetime. However, we can’t do it alone. Your dentist, whether a pediatric dentist or a general family dentist, only plays a small role in the health and wellbeing of your child’s teeth! Below are some tips to help you create a healthy smile for your kids!
The Basics
Encourage your child to have a regular oral routine.
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each time and flossing once a day to ensure the teeth and gums remain healthy.
Parents, did you know that you should replace your child’s toothbrush every three months or less?
Over time, bacteria and germs will build up, and the bristles will be worn down. Worn-out bristles tend to be more abrasive on your child’s gums and are harder to get in those hard-to-get spaces.
Healthy Diet = Healthy Teeth
The foods your child chooses and how often they eat them can affect not only their general health but the health of their teeth and gums too.
If your child consumes too many sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, or non-nutritious snacks, they could be at risk for tooth decay.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth, contributing to tooth decay and other oral health problems. Plaque bacteria use sugar from juices, sports drinks, and energy drinks to make acid that attacks your child’s enamel, ultimately forming cavities.
Encourage your child to drink lots of water as it has many benefits:
- Strengthens their teeth
- Washes away any bacteria or excess food
- Fights against dry mouth
- Be sure your child eats a healthy diet and finds healthier alternatives to sip on for good dental health.
Protecting Your Child’s Teeth
Brushing and flossing are the best ways to help prevent cavities, but it’s not always easy to clean every nook and cranny of your child’s teeth.
Sealants are essentially “raincoats” for your child’s teeth. They’re a thin plastic material that applies to the chewing surfaces, which helps protect teeth from plaque and acid attacks.
Once a sealant is intact, the sealed surface will be protected from decay.
Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars.
Plan Your Child’s Regular Appointments
A common question parents ask is, “How soon should I take my child to the dentist?”
According to the American Association of Pediatric Dentists, it’s recommended that children go in for their first oral health checkup within six months of their first tooth and no later than their first birthday. Although it may seem early, this first visit is essential to ensure your child doesn’t have any signs of gum or tooth decay and that their teeth are erupting and developing properly.
For the early years, you will want to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist. Once your child is a little older, we hope you will consider Johnson Family Dental for their care.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests children visit their dentist every six months to ensure that they’re keeping their mouth as clean as possible!
Looking for a family dentist in the Paducah, KY area, we hope you will consider Johnson Family Dental. Johnson Family Dental is conveniently located at 2913 Lone Oak Road in Paducah. You can reach us by phone at (270) 554-2432. Our office is open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm.