Plenty of people make new year’s resolutions to improve their own health, but as a parent, you’re just as concerned about your child’s well-being as your own, if not more so. As such, if you feel like you haven’t been doing enough to help your little one take care of their smile, why not make some New Year’s resolutions to change that? Below are 4 suggestions that your pediatric dentist in Cumming might make if you’re looking to improve your child’s oral health over the coming year.
1. Start Teaching Them Better Oral Hygiene Habits
Knowing how to brush and floss is one thing; doing these simple yet important tasks well is another. The habits your child forms now will stick with them for the rest of their life, so make sure that they’re the right habits. Have them brush their teeth for at least two minutes at a time; you can set a timer or play some fun music to make it easier for them. You can also show them the proper way to hold a toothbrush and check that they’re covering every surface they can reach. Start teaching flossing as early as possible so that your child can get used to doing it on their own.
2. Plan a More Smile-Friendly Diet for Them
Sugar and starch serve as food for the bacteria that cause cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. When planning your child’s meals, you’ll want to limit how much sugar and starch they’re eating on a daily basis. Instead, give them nutritious foods that are high in calcium and vitamin C, which can help keep the teeth and gums healthy. Your pediatric dentist can give you some suggestions for foods and beverages that are particularly beneficial for still-growing grins.
3. Try to Discourage Snacking
Too many in-between meal snacks won’t just spoil your child’s appetite; it can also be bad for their teeth. Whenever your child eats, bits of food are left behind in their mouth, where they can encourage tooth decay the longer they stay there. The more they eat between meals, the more opportunities oral bacteria will have to start forming cavities. You don’t have to stop your child from snacking altogether, but try to limit it as much as possible. When they do eat, make sure they rinse with water afterwards.
4. See If They Might Need Braces
If your child is around age 6 or 7, now is a good time to schedule an orthodontic consultation if you don’t think they’ll need braces. There are some orthodontic issues that only a trained professional will be able to detect, and they’ll be able to decide whether Phase 1 treatment is needed.
These are just some steps you can take to make sure your child ends 2022 with a healthy smile. Talk to your pediatric dentist today to see what other suggestions they might have. The choices you make today could make all the difference for your child’s grin in the future.
About the Practice
At Village Pediatric Dentistry, we provide every pediatric dental service under one roof for children of all ages, and we always take the time to get to know your son and daughter so that they feel genuinely comfortable whenever they visit our office. Our goal is to help your little one develop a positive relationship with dentistry that lasts the rest of their lives. To schedule your child’s first appointment of the new year, visit our website or call (678) 456-5572.