Family Dental Care: Top 10 Tips for Preventive Care for Kids

Family dental care is important for the whole family, but it’s especially important for kids because it prevents tooth decay and gum disease, and prevents potentially painful dental procedures. In order to maintain good oral health for your kids, it is essential to understand how important routine family dental care is for preventing cavities and gum disease in children.

Olathe Dental Care Center in Olathe, KS, has found that one of the best ways to prevent tooth decay in children is to get them started early with daily tooth brushing. Our family dental care philosophy is that establishing healthy routines at a young age will help children grow up with strong, healthy teeth that give them confident smiles. Staying on top of your family dental care with consistent oral hygiene is the best way to prevent tooth decay and prevent future problems.

Here are the Top 10 Tips for preventive family dental care for kids.

1. Make routine family dental care a priority. As soon as your child’s first tooth emerges, get them used to visiting the dentist. This is important for preventing fear of the dentist and any procedures that might be performed, and it also helps identify and correct any potential issues early on.
2. While brushing and flossing is probably not one of your child’s favorite things to do, you can make it fun – and more acceptable – by choosing a kid-themed toothpaste and toothbrush that your dentist can recommend, that your child will like and want to use.
3. Another way to make taking care of your child’s teeth more fun is to establish their own dental care routine. Explain why it’s important to brush at least twice a day, and floss once a day. With young children you can make a game of it by racing to see if your child can get finished before you – just make sure they brush at least 2 minutes before stopping.
4. With older children, post reminders to help your child remember to brush their teeth in the morning and at bedtime. Try putting a note on the bathroom door or on the inside of their bedroom door that reminds them to brush their teeth.
5. There are many healthy foods that benefit children’s teeth, but sweets and starchy foods, sugary beverages like soda and juice drinks are not one of them. They produce acid-eroding plaque in the mouth. 
6. Things like cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, and crisp vegetables are better. Plus, due to their high water content, they increase the production of saliva and help keep your child hydrated.
7. Speaking of foods, make sure you pack teeth-friendly snacks and lunches. Avoid sticky foods like honey and caramel, because they’re difficult to remove from teeth, and can lead to rapid tooth decay.
8. Teach your child the importance of not sharing food and drinks, especially snacks, drinks, and school lunches. If they are aware of how sharing can spread oral bacteria, and the harm it can do, they will be more apt to avoid swapping with other kids. 
9. Encourage your child to rinse their mouth with either water or mouthwash after meals. It’s also good to brush and/or floss after eating whenever possible.
10. Ask ODCC family dental care in Olathe, KS, about dental sealants which can provide years of added protection from cavities and seal cracks and spaces between your child’s teeth where bacteria can easily build-up and cause damage.

Getting your whole family involved in a predictable oral health care routine can benefit everyone by keeping their teeth and gums in a healthy condition. Schedule your next family dental care exam and cleaning now. If you have any concerns about your child’s dental care routines, discuss your worries with your family dental care provider at ODCC in Olathe, KS.

Olathe Dental Care Center

913-782-1420

234 South Cherry St
Olathe KS 66061