As a child, you had to endure things you didn’t like to do, like eat your veggies, visit the doctor, and brush your teeth. But your parents made you do them because they were necessary parts of learning how to keep a healthy lifestyle. Now you’re a parent, and you want to help your children do the same. You also know it’s about time to take your children to the dentist, and this brings back unpleasant memories. However, with advances in dental technology, you can find a WaterLase dentist to make visits routine and virtually painless. To help keep any visit to the dentist an easy one, here are some dental tipsthat you and your child should follow:
- Start early: It’s never too early to begin dental care. Start before your babies have teeth by using a soft, clean warm cloth to cleanse their gums gently. This gets babies used to the act of dental cleaning after meals so when they begin brushing, it will be a natural activity.
- Develop good habits: Once your babies get teeth, now is the time to introduce the toothbrush. Babies and toddlers should brush after every meal to prevent cavities, plaque, and tartar buildup, and again, to get used to the process. Additionally, practice good eating habits by limiting the sweet stuff. For good habits to take root, consistency is key.
- Prevent tooth decay: There’s more to brushing to prevent tooth decay. Using sippy cups and soothers for an extended time, a bottle filled with milk at night and even some medicines can contribute to your child’s tooth decay. There is nothing wrong with any of these items, as long as they are used in moderation (for the sippy cups and soothers). If your child wants a bottle in their crib at night, then fill it with water. As for medicine, brush afterwards.
- Schedule regular appointments: Once your child is on the right track for good at-home dental care, the next step is to visit a dentist regularly. They can detect minor issues before they become major ones and give regular cleanings to ensure your children’s teeth stay healthy.
- Make additional appointments: Even with the most diligent brusher, dental pain and problems can occur. If your child experiences pain, swelling, or other issues, don’t ignore them. Make an appointment as soon as possible to remedy the problem before it becomes worse.
- Set expectations: When your child is having their first appointment, they won’t know what to expect. To help them through this new experience, talk to them about it. If you find a WaterLase dentist who uses their advanced technology, then in many cases, your child may never experience a drill or even pain during their visit! It’s best to let them know what can happen so that there are no surprises.
- Walk the walk: It’s one thing to tell your children what to do, but it’s a different story when you follow your own advice. When your children see you eating right, brushing and flossing, and visiting the dentist, your words will carry more weight. In essence, you need to lead by example.
Taking care of your teeth isn’t the most interesting part of our day, but it is an important one. The health of your teeth can indicate the state of your overall health. Taking good care of your teeth, and your children’s teeth, can make any trip to the dentist smooth sailing.
To help your children through their first and subsequent appointments, find a WaterLase dentist in your area. Your children will be glad you did.
