How to keep your children’s teeth in tip-top condition
The team at ‘Your New Dentist’ are passionate about making sure your child’s dental visit is positive and fun. Most importantly we want to help establish daily routines for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Recent figures from Dental Health Services Victoria show 47.2 per cent of adults and 30.7 per cent of children in Knox have untreated tooth decay, higher than the state average of 28 per cent.
An article featured in the Knox Leader also highlighted that the percentage of Knox children with a history of tooth decay (55.6 per cent) was higher than the state average (54.7 per cent).
With increased tooth decay rates in our region, it is now more than ever essential to get on top of oral health care for our local families. ‘Your New Dentist’ is all about seeing you less, and helping you to take preventative action to help minimise decay.
We are committed to providing a positive dental experience for you and your family and are passionate about making sure your child’s dental health story is a great one!
There are a number of key things to bear in mind when it comes to keeping your children’s teeth in tip-top condition:
Baby teeth do matter
Unfortunately, when it comes to ‘baby teeth’ there is a commonly held belief that they are not important. Yes, they do eventually fall out to make way for adult teeth but that doesn’t mean cleaning them isn’t significant. The early loss of a primary tooth can lead on to other complications, such as crowded permanent teeth, later in life which could involve treatment such as orthodontics to correct. Find out more here
Brush well
Ensure the kiddies brush their teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, which they shouldn’t swallow. Brush for at least two minutes at a time, you can try using an egg timer to make keeping time fun for your child.
Floss early
Flossing, with parental assistance until the age of 10 or when they are capable of doing it properly themselves, should start as soon as children have two teeth in contact.
Regular dentist visits
Kicking off at the age of 1 at the latest, or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing, your child should see their dentist regularly and understand that visiting them is an important part of growing up. Check out our article on “When to take your child to the dentist for the first time and what to expect here
Good eating and drinking habits
To help develop strong teeth, your children need a healthy, balanced diet made up of fresh foods such as vegetables, cheese and lean meats, minimal high-sugar foods such as biscuits and muesli bars, and fluoridated tap water.
Watch the sugar
Fruit snacks can sometimes be a sneaky source of sugar in your child’s diet. Try to aim for no more than two pieces of fruit per day at the most. Try swapping some fruit snacks for crunchy vegetables like cucumber, carrot or capsicum.
Find out if your child is eligible for free dental care
Did you know that your child may be eligible for $1000 worth of free dental treatment under Medicare? The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a children’s dental benefit program for kids aged between 2-17 years that are eligible. CDBS provides eligible children with up to $1,000 in benefits over two calendar years for basic dental services. Please contact ‘Your New Dentist’ to find out more.
Make it fun and a daily part of life
Most importantly, developing good oral hygiene habits early will help to set up your child for life. Make it fun, be consistent and make the most of spending the time with them during teeth cleaning time!
Each and every day ‘Your New Dentist’ is helping young children avoid pain and unnecessary emergency dental care so families experience positive lifelong dental care.
The team at ‘Your New Dentist’ looks forward to helping you and your family to properly care for your teeth and to keep you smiling!
We look forward to seeing you soon
Resource:
The Knox Leader May 2016
Australian Dental Association
www.ada.org.au