For parents, there’s nothing more important than the health and happiness of your child. Kids oral health is an important factor. Are you taking necessary steps to protect your child’s teeth and ensure they have a healthy mouth for years to come?
At Shorewood Family Dental Care, we want to see your children once they get their first tooth, or by the time they turn one.
Child’s First Dentist Appointment
During your child’s first visit with us, we will look at their teeth and gums to address any potential concerns before they become a problem. We can see a lot with just one tooth!
At Shorewood Family Dental Care we try our best to make sure your kids feel comfortable and welcome when they visit us. Most kids end up loving coming to our office because of the big steel giraffes they get to play with! Plus, they get a cool gift for their checkup!
Encourage Good Habits
In addition to bringing your child in for regular checkups, we suggest creating good habits early on and leading by example. Doing so will provide the foundation kids oral health protection.
Brushing & Flossing
It’s a good idea to get your child in the habit of brushing and flossing their teeth daily. You can start getting your little one used to the feeling by gently brushing their gums with water on a baby toothbrush or a washcloth.
When your baby’s teeth erupt, make sure to brush them twice a day using a toothbrush specifically designed for infants and fluoridated toothpaste. As soon as they have two teeth touching each other, start flossing your little one’s teeth as well.
Prevent “Baby Bottle Decay”
When you’re desperate to get your little one to sleep, it can be tempting to put them down to sleep with a bottle or milk, formula, or juice. But the sugar in those liquids can attach to your child’s teeth. Bacteria will then feed off the sugar and cause tooth decay.
If your little one just can’t seem to go to bed without a bottle, give them water instead.
Juice In Moderation
Speaking of juice, many parents think they’re making the right decision for their child by giving them fruit juice. But even 100% fruit juice, if consumed too often, can lead to tooth decay.
Practice moderation when giving your children juice. Limit consumption to no more than 4 ounces a day and make sure it’s 100% fruit juice. We recommend giving your children drinks and food with added sugar only at mealtimes or using juice as a special treat.
Say Good-Bye To The Pacifier By Age 2 or 3
There are a lot of benefits to using a pacifier for infants. But long-term use of a pacifier can affect your child’s teeth and even change the shape of their mouth.
If your little one just can’t seem to kick the habit past age three, talk to us during your visit and we can suggest some ways to help them give it up.
A Few Extra Tips For Kids Oral Health
If there’s one thing we encourage parents to remember it’s consistency. When you stay consistent, you form good habits and teach your children that oral hygiene is non-negotiable.
We also like to remind parents who are teaching their little ones how to take care of their teeth that it’s important to stay patient. It can be frustrating when your child doesn’t want to brush their teeth or fusses about not getting more juice but don’t give in. Remember, you’re doing this for the sake of their health!
A Dentist For Your Whole Family
Checkups with your dentist every six months are an important part of any dental hygiene routine. At Shorewood Family Dental Care, we make it easier by seeing every member of your family at our Shorewood, IL office. Instead of having to travel to different locations, we can get your whole family taken care of right here on the same day!
To schedule your little one’s first appointment or your family’s next teeth cleaning, call our office at (815) 725-5991. You can also contact us online. We look forward to seeing you!
