Children’s Dental Care Tips to Keep Their Teeth Healthy

Written by: Dr Madhavi Shetty, Endodontist and co-founder The Func Dent.

Dental health is a key aspect of a child’s healthy development. While most parents may not realise this, teeth and gum health is essential for proper eating habits and getting the necessary nutrition for growth. Children may neglect their oral health as they are too naive to learn to understand the risks; however, as a parent, it is your responsibility to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

To make your work easier, we have brought you 12 essential children’s dental care tips to keep their teeth healthy. Starting these tips early can form lifelong habits for healthy teeth and mouth.

Essential Tips For Ensuring Oral Hygiene For Children

1. Start Cleaning Gums Before Teeth Appear.

Cleaning the gums during the infant stage can help to keep their gums clean. Use a baby gum cleaner or a soft, damp cloth to clean the gums after feeding. This not only removes food residues and bacteria but also helps to prepare the kid for future brushing habits. Starting as early as possible is essential to building daily brushing habits.

2. Brush Twice Daily With Fluoride Toothpaste.

Once the teeth start to appear, brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day can help to prevent cavities. Fluoride toothpaste also helps to make the teeth stronger and resistant to decay. You can find specialised toothbrushes for children that have soft bristles. Use just a smear for infants and a pea-sized amount for children over three for healthy teeth.

3 Floss Once Teeth Begin Touching.

When the child’s teeth begin touching each other, it becomes difficult to clean food residue between them through just brushing. Children must floss their teeth at least once a day. Creating a lifelong habit of flossing can reduce the chances of cavities and teeth problems. You can either assist your child in flossing or get floss with a handle to make it easier. After a few years, children can become capable of flossing by themselves.

4. Limit Sugary Snacks And Drinks.

Children often eat and drink foods that are high in sugar content, such as cakes, soda, and chocolates. Too much sugar can lead to bacterial growth, cavities, and tooth decay. By limiting sugary snacks and drinks, you can reduce the risk of cavities and other tooth problems. Instead, you can offer healthier snack options.

5. Encourage Tooth-Friendly Foods Like Fruits, Veggies, And Dairy.

Your teeth are made out of the same materials as your bones; hence, you need to give your child bone-friendly foods that are rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins. Encourage your child to eat crunchy vegetables and fruits like apples and carrots. These fruits and vegetables help clean your teeth naturally. You should also give your child dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese, as they are high in calcium. 

6. Drink Plenty Of Water Instead Of Sugary Beverages. 

Drinking sugary beverages like sodas, coffee, and artificial juices on a regular basis can erode the enamel of the teeth. As children have a tendency to gravitate towards sugary drinks, creating a habit of drinking a lot of water can help curb the craving for sugary beverages. Water is also a natural way to get rid of food particles in the mouth after a meal. 

7. Visit The Dentist Every 6 Months.

Regular dental checkups can help to identify problems early for kids as well as adults. A dentist will not only treat any potential problems but also give advice for preventing future problems. A paediatric dentist is the best source for effective and safe teeth hygiene tips for children. Regular visits to the dentist every six months can reinforce the importance of professional dental hygiene for kids and create lifelong good habits.

8. Apply Dental Sealants For Cavity Protection.

Even with all the precautions, children will eventually crave sugary foods, risking cavities. Dental sealants are an effective way to prevent cavities. These sealants prevent food and bacteria from getting stuck between the teeth. It is a protective coating applied on the chewing surface of the molar, which is difficult to clean through brushing alone. 

9. Use Mouthguards For Sports Activities.

If your child plays sports regularly, wearing a protective mouthguard is recommended. Contact sports like football, boxing, and field hockey can cause injuries like chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth. Even a generic mouthguard can drastically reduce the odds of such injuries. Make sure your child gets into the habit of wearing mouthguards while playing sports.

10. Supervise Brushing Until Age 7-8.

You should brush together daily with your child at least till they are 7-8 years of age. Show them the right brushing technique and supervise them. Make sure they brush their teeth for at least a whole two minutes and clean all the parts, including the back of the teeth and the tongue. According to research, brushing teeth along with your child can help to overcome several barriers.

11. Make Brushing Fun With Apps, Timers, And Rewards.

Turning brushing into a fun activity with apps, timers, and rewards can help to create a lifelong habit of brushing without fail. Choose a kids’ toothbrush with their favourite characters on them. You can also give them star stickers and compliments after they brush their teeth. You can also incorporate rhymes and music to make sure they brush for a certain amount of time.

12. Teach Kids The Importance Of Dental Care Through Stories And Examples.

Sometimes, just explaining the importance of dental care through stories and examples can create the habit of brushing daily. At our dental clinic in Bandra, we use storytelling and observations to explain concepts like tooth decay, cavities, and bad breath.