Watching out for the health of your toddler’s teeth is a full-time job. The same recommended oral hygiene recommended by our Novato family dentist for an adult applies to your toddler as well.
Maintaining a routine of proper brushing and flossing after meals and before bedtime will provide a foundation for regular oral hygiene routines for the whole family. However, even though there are similarities, oral health care for your toddler also has some important differences.
Protecting Those Precious Baby Teeth
Baby teeth are precious. Not just because they’re adorable, but also because they play a vital role in your child’s future oral health. As baby teeth are developing, permanent adult teeth are already forming under the gumline.
Regularly bringing your child to the Novato family dentist office for oral health checkups at this stage will go a long way towards developing healthy adult teeth. Also, teaching good dental habits at an early age can lay an important foundation for your child’s future oral health.
As a toddler, your child should already be receiving routine preventive dental care. The St. Paul general dentist can assess your child’s dental development and discuss proper at-home oral health care routines.
3 Tips for Protecting Your Toddler’s Oral Health
But, as a parent, there are things you should do as well between dental visits, to protect your toddler’s teeth:
- Make healthy food choices for your child – Choosing a variety of healthy fruits and vegetables to serve is good for the entire body, especially your toddler’s developing teeth.
- Monitor what your child eats – As toddlers grow and begin to gain some independence, they will enjoy feeding themselves. Remember that frequent exposure to sugary or even healthy fruit drinks can lead to tooth decay. Offer water instead and encouraging brushing between snacks whenever possible.
- Maintain a regular routine of brushing and flossing – Toddlers will enjoy the independence of brushing their own teeth at least once a day. If your child’s efforts are not perfect, that’s okay. You can monitor their efforts and step in when needed to ensure that their oral hygiene is effective. Introducing the idea of oral hygiene at an early age will send an important message to your child.
Contact our Office for More Information
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s oral health care, please contact our family dentist office for more information.