The oral care needs of children change as they transition from primary to permanent teeth. By the time your child is 13 years old, most of his permanent teeth will be in place. However, there are always a number of factors that can negatively influence your child's oral development. Genetics is one. If you yourself have had multiple cavities caused by decay, then your child is more prone to a poor oral condition. Many kids also face tooth developmental problems, which can be caused if the mother experiences a high fever during pregnancy or the kid faces the same as a toddler. Poor diet and poor oral hygiene can also create a lot of problems for your child's oral health.
Despite the above possibilities, there is a lot we can do to keep your kid's oral health in good shape, so make sure your kids follow these dental care tips listed below.
Oral Care At Home
When your kids enter their teens, getting them to adhere to rules such as oral hygiene, eating healthy, etc., become increasingly difficult. It is their stage and age to spread out their wings, discover, make a place for themselves amongst their peers etc. However, what takes a beating amidst all this is their oral hygiene. We often notice a rise in tooth decay and gum disease due to an increased consumption of sugary foods and carbohydrates, combined with lack of good, daily oral hygiene. Thus, what is important is that you, as a conscious parent, continue to encourage dental care practices such as brushing for two minutes, two times a day and flossing once a day. Make sure your child uses only the best toothpaste. Also, you must consider professional cleaning for your child at this age as it keeps the gums and teeth healthy.
Managing Diets
Cavities aren't just for little kids; anyone can suffer from a tooth decay attack. Give your child healthy snack foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables and cheese. Encourage them to avoid sweetened sodas, juices etc., and buy foods that are sugar-free or unsweetened. Serve sugary or starchy foods as part of a meal rather than as a snack. Most children drink liquids during a meal. This washes many bits of food off the teeth. Saliva also does a good job of clearing the teeth. Avoid certain foods such as cookies, chips, doughnuts etc., unless your child plans to brush right after he or she eats them. These foods get stuck between teeth and are hard to remove.
Care At The Dentist's
Your kids may need these as they are growing up:
Sealants - If your child is a teen or adolescent, sealants can be placed on all eight back teeth. Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from tooth decay.
Braces - Orthodontic treatments help with teeth alignment and jaw correction. Braces are very beneficial, but can increase tooth decay and gingivitis if not cleaned thoroughly on a daily basis. Permanent white spots around brackets are areas of weak enamel and are a common sign of poor oral hygiene.
Mouth Guard - It is always important to wear a mouth guard when playing sports like basketball, soccer, football or hockey.
No matter how fast your kids grow up or how independent they think themselves to be, your supervision for the sake of their oral and overall health is a must. Remember to follow these dental care tips and consult your family dentist if you face any severe complications with your child's oral health.
Rachel Simon a frequent writer loves to share her personal experience & thoughts about oral health care, this time she is sharing her views on kid's oral health care, dental care tips including diet management for growing kids.
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