2025 is here, and it's time to talk about dental New Year's resolutions! Nothing is more precious than your child's healthy smile; we know you're committed to protecting it as a parent. So, here are some helpful tips and smile resolutions to guide your focus for 2025.
#1 Schedule Regular Pediatric Dental Checkups
Did you know your child should visit their dentist every six months just like you do? It's true! Routine dental checkups and teeth cleanings are essential for protecting your little one's oral health development and beautiful smile. Preventive dental visits should start as soon as their first baby teeth arrive or by age one.
We'll incorporate teeth cleanings as they get older and more comfortable in the dental chair, but routine exams should start at age one. Early visits to their Palo Heights dentist help them acclimate to the dental office and feel more comfortable about future visits. Plus, we make them fun! Your pediatric dental team has the skill and expertise to cater to your child's unique needs and make every dental visit a positive experience.
As your child gets older, these routine visits are a great way to ensure they're on the right track with oral home care and development. Our dentists may recommend fluoride treatment, dental sealants, or sports guards to protect your child's smile as they grow.
#2 Establish a Consistent Brushing and Flossing Routine
Dental home care is one of the best ways to protect your little one's smile, and they'll need your help and guidance with this until around age eight.
Did you know that oral care begins even before your baby's first teeth arrive? If you have an infant, you can begin oral care after feedings by gently wiping their gums with a warm washcloth to remove any excess bacteria. This cleans their gums and helps them get used to oral care.
When their first teeth arrive, you can carefully begin brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush designed for infants. You can also incorporate a pea-sized drop of toothpaste that's safe for swallowing if you like. You can add fluoride toothpaste into their routine when they get older, around age three or four, when they can successfully spit the toothpaste out of their mouth after brushing.
Your assistance and supervision with brushing and flossing should continue until they can manage the routine independently. However, you may still consider checking in with them on brushing progress when they are older to ensure they use proper techniques to get the best results.
#3 Choose Healthier Snacks for Better Dental Health
Snacking is part of childhood. Kids enjoy snacks at school, at home, during extracurricular activities, and sporting events. The key is teaching them to choose healthy snacks over ones that can cause problems like tooth decay or gum disease.
While most parents are aware of the dangers of too much sugar in their child's diet, did you know that starchy snacks are also a danger since carbohydrates turn into sugar? Starches also stick to teeth and can hang around in your child's mouth longer, which can become problematic when they convert to sugars.
Sugar fuels the bacteria in the mouth, producing acids as a byproduct that can eat away tooth enamel and cause decay and cavities. Limiting sugary snacks and drinks helps protect your little one's healthy smile.
Help them choose fruits and veggies instead of sugary or starchy snacks like chips or crackers. Fruits and veggies help neutralize the acids in the mouth and increase saliva production, a natural protectant for teeth. Here are some ideas for healthy snacks your child may enjoy:
- Apple slices
- Carrot sticks
- Berries
- Granola or trail mix
- Yogurt
- String cheese
- Dried fruit
- Bananas
#4 Swap Out Old Toothbrushes
Using the right tools for brushing and flossing is critical for taking good care of your little one's smile. Make sure to change their toothbrush often, at least every three months, or more often if the bristles are worn.
If your child has trouble properly flossing with a long strand of floss, consider giving them flossers that they can hold and easily guide around each tooth. Use one flosser for the upper teeth and a new one for the lower arch.
Ask their pediatric dentist if an antibacterial mouth rinse might also benefit them. This can be an easy extra measure to take after brushing and flossing to give them added protection against tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
Involving your child in their home care routine by allowing them to choose fun toothbrushes and flavorful toothpaste they like can help encourage younger children to become better brushers and flossers.
#5 Protect Your Child’s Smile During Sports
Did you know sports injuries are responsible for nearly half of dental emergencies? If your kids participate in sports, protecting their teeth and mouth with a sports mouthguard is essential. Generic mouthguards that you find at the sporting goods store may not offer the best protection for your child's smile. Your Palos Heights pediatric dentist can make a custom mouthguard that fits their mouth perfectly without interfering with their game-time performance.
Wearing a good custom mouthguard whenever they participate in sports is a wise investment in your child's precious smile and could mean the difference between protecting and losing a tooth.
Are You Looking for Excellent Pediatric Dental Care in Palos Heights?
Look no further than Palos Pediatric Dentistry for all of your children's dental needs. Our pediatric dentists have the skills and expertise to guide your child's oral development, protect their smile, and straighten crooked teeth with orthodontic treatment, all in one convenient location. We also have the training to help young patients with mental, physical, or behavioral special needs feel safe, welcome, and at ease in the dental chair so they can comfortably receive the treatment they need that best suits their needs.
You can request an appointment for your little one online or talk with one of our friendly team members by calling us at (708) 263-6708.
