February has officially arrived. This is a great time for all of us to brush up on dental hygiene in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month! Join us on today’s blog to learn some tips the whole family can benefit from.
Dental care starts in your child’s infancy. Before the first tooth erupts, wipe their gums after meals to keep their mouth clean. When the teeth start to erupt, infants and toddlers generally require help caring for their teeth. We recommend gently brushing their teeth for them while they help so they can soon learn how to brush by themselves.
When you are selecting a toothbrush for your child, make sure it’s appropriate for your child’s age and that the bristles are not too stiff. Infant brushes are much softer and won't irritate their gums. Also, a great way to get your little one familiar with dental care is to give them an extra brush so they can practice brushing their dolls or stuffed animals' teeth! When choosing a toothpaste, we recommend one that contains fluoride. When it comes to the amount of toothpaste to use, a pea-sized amount should suffice!
Another important element in keeping your child’s smile healthy is a diet with lots of fruits and veggies! We recommend limiting or completely avoiding sugary snacks as these can lead to cavities. Great alternative foods and drinks to incorporate into your child’s diet are milk and lean meats like chicken (not fried!). Milk contains calcium that helps with strong teeth and bones. Getting your child accustomed to a healthy diet early on helps them maintain optimal oral health as they grow up. Please keep in mind that older children tend to eat more sweets and don't always like to drink water. As a result, they can end up with dental issues if not careful.
The American Dental Association recommends children have their first dental visit around their first birthday. Our website has a great office tour video in the "About Us" section. It shows just what to expect when you come in, including what Dr. Azadpur and the team will look like in all that PPE! Our whole office is bright and colorful, and at the end of every visit, your child will get a sticker and fun prize! We do our best to make it a positive and welcoming environment.
During Children's Dental Health Month our hygienists normally visit local area preschools and daycares in order to teach the little ones all about good oral hygiene. While we can't visit in person this year, we were able to share with the schools a wonderful oral hygiene video we made, featuring Kay and Alison, our fabulous hygienists. The students will be able to watch it in their classrooms and then take home a fun toothbrush kit that we provided. While visiting in person is much more fun, a virtual visit is good too!
If you have any questions or concerns or want to learn more, Dr. Azadpur and the team are always happy to discuss them with you—any time of year! We can’t wait to see you and your family in our office again soon. We look forward to seeing you!
