Having good overall health is directly connected to good oral health.
We’re not just saying this as your friendly Burien dentist. There’s a link between the your oral health and longevity. Studies show that the more teeth you have, the more likely you are to live a longer life.
And the sooner kids can begin maintaining good oral health the better. They can start coming in for their dental visits as early as 3 years.
Help set your kids up towards a long, healthy life. Here are some ways to help your kids maintain good oral health.
5 Ways to Keep Your Kids’ Teeth Healthy for Life!
- Don’t Miss Kids Teeth Cleanings – Plaque is the #1 enemy of your kids’ mouths. This sticky bacteria starts forming on teeth in only 4-12 hours after your kids brush their teeth! When plaque builds up it produces acids that attack your kids’ tooth enamel, causing cavities, as well as gum disease, bad breath, and even tooth loss. Brushing and flossing every day is good as part of their oral hygiene routine, but it doesn’t completely remove the built up plaque. What does? Teeth cleanings by your friendly dentist & dental hygienists! These routine cleanings will help scrub away the plaque on your kids’ teeth.
- Protect Their Teeth When They Play -More than 5 million teeth get knocked out every year during kids’ sporting activities. The number is actually higher when you include all the different types of recreational activities kids get into – skiing, skateboarding, basketball, riding unicycles, even bouncing on the backyard trampoline. Dental injuries to kids’ teeth happen, but they can be prevented by wearing a custom made sports mouth guard. Our custom made mouth guards can protect your kids from serious dental damage, or tooth loss. These mouth guards are comfortable to wear, and they look good too, with several color choices. Compared to the price of replacing a missing tooth, a custom fit sports mouth guard is a small price to pay.
- Keep Baby Teeth Healthy + Practice Good Oral Hygiene Early – Your child’s baby teeth may be temporary, but they should be taken care of with the same level of care as permanent teeth. Keeping baby teeth healthy is crucial to your child’s future oral health! So, when should your child start coming in? The recommended age for a first visit is around your child’s first birthday or sometime after their first tooth has erupted.
- Beware of Foods that Torment Kids Teeth – What your kids eat (and don’t eat!) can be as important to their oral health as maintaining a good daily oral hygiene routine. Beware of foods high in starch, such as Goldfish or crackers. Starchy foods stick to your kids’ teeth, where they can linger, creating a cavity causing bacteria that can erode tooth enamel. Be mindful to also include tooth friendly foods, like apples and snap peas that can help build up saliva and flush out some of the trapped debris.
- Use Extra Help to Fight Cavities – Tooth decay is now the most common disease for kids between 6 to 19! Recent studies show that over 40% of children will have cavities by the time they enter kindergarten, and more than half of kids between 12 to 19 already have cavities to their permanent teeth. If your kids need a little extra help fighting cavities, try sealants. They’re a thin clear coating painted onto the molars to fill in any pits – where food particles get stuck. Sealants are an effective option to reduce cavities among children five to 15 years old – especially for kids who may be more predisposed to cavities.
Helping your kids maintain good oral health is one of the best things you can do to help steer them towards a lifetime of better health.
If your child is overdue for a cleaning or you just need to pre-schedule your kids’ dental check-ups for the year, please give us a call at (206) 242-0066 to schedule their visit with us or request their appointment here!
