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As parents know, kids require a lot of extra care to grow up healthy and strong. This includes eating a well-balanced diet, visiting the doctor regularly for check ups and practicing good safety precautions. When mapping out your child's health and wellness plan, don't forget about oral health as an important part of your child's daily health routine. Dental care plays a major role in general health, and it should start before the first tooth emerges. Encouraging your kids to take good care of their teeth and gums may be more important than you realize. In fact, tooth decay affects children in Canada more than any other chronic infectious disease, and untreated dental diseases can lead to serious pain and infection that cause additional problems with eating, speaking, socializing and learning. 4 Minutes a Day, Healthy Smile for a Lifetime The 4 minutes your child spends brushing in the morning and at night are some of the most important minutes of the day and the best way to keep teeth strong and healthy. When your child is very young, even before the teeth appear, you can clean the gums with a soft, damp washcloth after every feeding. Once the first tooth surfaces, you can begin to brush the teeth using a soft-bristled baby's toothbrush. When your child is old enough, show him how to brush on his own. With time, your child will grow up recognizing the steps involved with good oral hygiene. To help kids protect their teeth and gum, follow these simple steps: * Brush twice a day
* Provide regular, well-balanced meals for your kids, and limit starchy or sugary foods which cause plaque build up
* Avoid frequent snacking between meals
* Make sure your child's teeth are getting enough fluoride
* Ask your dentist about dental sealants as a great way to protect teeth from decay
* Take your children to the dentist for regular cleanings and check ups. Ouch-a Dental Injury! Injuries to the mouth can be prevented, but they cannot be avoided entirely. If your child injures his mouth, such as breaking or knocking out a tooth, call your dentist right away. Your dentist will be able to examine the injured area and recommend the best treatment. When a tooth is completely knocked out, save the tooth, and bring it with you to the dentist. The sooner you can get there for care, the better the chance of saving the tooth. In many cases, the tooth can be placed back into the mouth through a procedure known as reimplantation. To prevent injuries, always make sure your child is wearing a mouthguard while playing contact sports. Visiting the Dentist Regular visits to the dentist are one of the most important steps to good dental health. Find a pediatric or family dentist who specializes in dentistry for kids as these dentists are specially trained to handle small mouths and a wide range of issues associated with kids' dental health. It is important that your child see a dentist by age one to establish a long-term dental hygiene plan and a professional dental cleaning routine. Focusing on prevention and maintenance, your child's dentist can help ward off dental diseases before they occur and establish an oral health plan that works for your child into adulthood. Good dental health at a young age is an investment in your child's health. Talk to your Mississauga dentist about how you can help your child achieve a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Drs. Brian Kaplansky and Gary Zlot, leading Mississauga dentists, operate Creditview Dental. Together they provide family and cosmetic dentistry for the entire family, offering services including veneers, teeth whitening, root canal therapy and Mississauga dental implants.
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