As a parent, your child’s health is one of your top priorities. Finding the right practitioners to work with to ensure that they have positive medical and dental experiences is just as important as they care they receive. This ensures that they’re set up for success at their future appointments. Dr. Greg Ritchie is your premiere children’s dentists in Marble Falls, TX and here they offer some tips for teaching your children great dental habits.
Lead By Example
First, parents must understand that even though their child’s baby teeth are eventually going to fall out they are still extremely important. Keeping them clean and healthy is critical for your child’s oral health and development. These little teeth have very important jobs to do such as helping your child’s speech development and ability to navigate solid foods. Baby teeth are also space savers and guides for the adult teeth that will eventually take their place.
Be a good example for your child by letting them see you brush and floss at least two times a day. Use these opportunities to discuss with them the importance of brushing away the “sugar bugs” in order to keep their teeth healthy. Bringing them along with you to your dental appointments can also help acclimate them to the dental office and it gives them a chance to see what happens during a dental appointment.
Help Them Brush and Floss
Children will need assistance brushing and flossing their teeth until around the age of 6 or 7. Once they are able to spit out toothpaste, you can introduce fluoride toothpaste, until then use toothpaste that is safe to swallow. Use a pea size amount of toothpaste, and a timer can be a fun and helpful way to ensure that they are brushing for two minutes.
Eat Healthy Foods
Most of us understand that sugary foods and beverages aren’t healthy for our teeth, but did you know that fruits and vegetables are actually important for your child’s developing teeth? Getting enough healthy foods will ensure that your child teeth develop properly and drinking fluoridated water will help build enamel strength.
Schedule Regular Dental Visits
At Ritchie Dental Group, we welcome children of all ages to our practice. Dr. Ritchie recommends seeing your child for their first visit around the age of three unless you notice any issues early on. We understand how important those first few visits are for your child and our team will make sure your child feels at ease and comfortable throughout their dental appointment.
As your child gets older, Dr. Ritchie may recommend additional services for your child such as fluoride treatments to strengthen their teeth and dental sealants to help protect their back teeth from tooth decay and cavities.
We can’t wait to meet your child! Contact our office today to schedule their appointment.
