Helping Kids Develop Healthy Dental Habits

By Jill Feilmeier on February 28, 2017 in Kid's Health

February is National Children's Dental Health month. Many of us have influence on a child's life as parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches and friends. As we have fun spending time with little ones in our lives, we are teaching them values, manners and sharing. There's another area of influence we'd like you to think about. Have you considered the impact of helping kids develop good dental health habits? There are two key steps we can take for kids' dental health – developing consistent dental health habits and applying dental sealants.

A layer of protection

The grooves of our teeth can be hard to keep clean even with good dental habits of brushing and flossing. Over time, these attacks may cause tooth decay, or cavities. This is why forming good dental habits is so important.

The good news is that there's another layer of protection we can add to good dental health habits. Dental sealants can protect teeth and prevent cavities. Sealants are most often applied for children and teenagers since tooth decay can start soon after teeth come in. Sealants are quick and easy to apply without causing pain, cost less than a filling and they have proven to prevent tooth decay. By preventing cavities, this may save patients money, pain and time away from school and work.

Keep that smile bright and clean.

Dental health can be a critical step to a child's overall health. Sealants help protect the teeth, and forming daily habits of brushing and flossing will help keep bright smiles and healthy bodies.

• The American Dental Association recommends brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.
• Brush gently and pay special attention to the gum line.
• Choose toothbrush with soft bristles and replace it every three months or sooner if the bristles are frayed.
• Encourage a healthy diet and limit snacks.
• Drink fluoridated water for added cavity protection.

A child's smile should include a set of bright and healthy teeth. With good dental care at home and regular dental visits, children can reach adulthood without suffering from cavities and other oral health problems. Teach children young to keep their smiles healthy with good dental habits.