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Parent’s Checklist for Good Dental Health for Kids

Good dental health for kids starts with good habits at home. Parents and guardians play a crucial role in developing positive, healthy behaviors at a young age – and that’s important for robust, lifelong well-being.

The Importance of Disciplined Dental Health for Kids

The benefits of good dental health habits go far beyond your child’s teeth and gums. Recent studies have shown a strong correlation between oral health and overall health. If your child’s teeth and gums aren’t in good health, there’s a good chance the rest of the body won’t be healthy. That’s why it’s so important to promote and encourage a dental checklist for kids.
Poor dental health is associated with the following disorders and diseases:

  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Obesity
  • Insulin resistance
  • Respiratory disorders (including asthma)
  • Osteoporosis
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Pregnancy complications
  • And many more
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Avoid These Common Pitfalls

Negative Reinforcement

Away from home, children are bombarded with a multitude of subliminal messages, particularly as they relate to good oral health care. From sugary snacks to fast food and more, it’s tough for parents to encourage teeth and gum care when unhealthy food and drink is everywhere. About those sugary snacks…

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Sugar, Sugar,
Sugar

This one’s so important, we had to say it three times. The amount of sugar (and preservatives) in our food has skyrocketed in the past few generations. This increase in sugar consumption is tied to gum disease, cavities and other oral health care issues for children. Limit your children’s sugar intake, including both hard substances (like candy) and soft drinks. Sugar in juice, formula and milk can also lead to tooth decay in toddlers and infants.

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General
Apathy

Let’s face it: most kids aren’t enthusiastic about teeth and gum care. But as you’ll see in this dental checklist, there are ways to counteract carelessness with common sense habits to encourage good dental health. It all starts with you – as your children’s parent or guardian, you and your family dentist are their best dental health guides!

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Proper Dental Care by Age Range

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Dental Care for Infants

Aside from your dentist, you are your child’s #1 dental health guide. Here are some recommended dental healthcare tips for all stages of childhood. Use our dental checklist from infancy through the teenage years.

  • Clean your baby’s gums with gauze or a warm washcloth before the first teeth arrive.
  • After feedings, wipe the gums with gauze or warm washcloth.
  • Don’t give your baby a pacifier dipped in sugar or sweet liquids.
  • Hold off using fluoride toothpaste until your baby is at least 24 months old.
  • Schedule baby’s first dental visit by no later than six months. Your dentist will review important oral healthcare needs for the transition from infant to toddler.

A Guide to Ensure Great Oral Health for Your Children

You already know about all the challenges facing your children. And you’re aware of the varied health issues related to poor oral health. This knowledge, combined with the determination to improve the dental health for your kids, is all you need to ensure 2020 is the best year yet for their teeth and gums!

We hope this dental health guide helps you and your children toward better oral health – and overall health! Now that you know the importance of good dental health habits for your children, it’s time to put your plan into place! Here are a few tips and tricks to get started today.

Manage your time

Manage your time

Good dental health habits for kids don’t just happen. You and your family have to take the time to make everything work. This includes regular times for brushing teeth, flossing and practicing good oral health habits. Have a definitive plan in place that includes specific times for these practices. Set reminders in your cell phone, or the low-tech refrigerator chart is always a good idea!

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Set an example

Set an example

Children look up to their parents for behavioral cues. If you’re not taking care of your teeth, it’s hard to expect your children to follow suit. Ensure your own dental checklist is on track: keep a consistent, disciplined oral care regimen, and your children will likely take your lead. Good dental health habits are all about walking the walk, not just talking the talk!

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Reward a job well done.

Reward a job well done.

Use incentives to reward good dental health habits. For toddlers, this could be an extra healthy snack at lunchtime or even a small toy. Older children (especially teenagers) aren’t as likely to be swayed with similar rewards, but there are still opportunities to promote positive reinforcement. Extending bedtimes for a half-hour or an extra few bucks in your children’s weekly allowance might do the trick. Find out what your children love, and use it as a driving force toward checking all the boxes on their own dental checklists!

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Don’t lose sight of the prize

Don’t lose sight of the prize

And the “prize” here is, of course, lifelong health. A dental checklist is only the beginning of your family’s journey. There will be bumps (and maybe a few cavities) along the way. But never forget WHY you’re encouraging good dental health for your kids: better overall health and superior wellbeing as they grow into adulthood. By taking care of their dental health early, your children will reap the rewards later. Stay focused on the long-term prize, even as you take care of relatively short-term goals and habits.

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Have fun

Have fun

Kids will be kids – they love to enjoy themselves, even when it comes to a dental checklist or working on better dental health habits. The reward system (see above) is a great way to add some excitement, but that’s only the start. Try to have as much fun as you can with your children’s dental health habits, while also making sure those teeth are brushed and flossed on a daily basis. Again, this is easier with toddlers than older kids, but there are always opportunities to sweeten the deal – hopefully without sugar-heavy snacks or high fructose corn syrup!

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Tooth Keri

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