Specialists agree: strong teeth in adulthood are formed already in early childhood. And, at this point, the responsibility of parents is very great, in the sense of stimulating habits that help maintain children’s oral health. Here are ten suggestions for your child to grow into an adult with healthy teeth, no cavities.
Diet
Offer foods rich in nutrients that strengthen teeth. And avoid excess sugar and starch, which produce acids that form the bacterial plaque that causes cavities.
Brushing
From a young age, children need to get into the habit of brushing their teeth at least three times a day. Ideally, they understand that it is necessary, healthy, and even fun.
Brushing Technique
Show them how to brush the outer surface of each tooth, then the inner surface and molar areas, without haste.
The right toothbrush
The ideal toothbrush for children should have soft bristles, a small head and a shorter handle, adaptable to the size of the hand.
Flossing
Explain that the toothbrush cannot clean everything and that the work is worth it. The earlier a child learns to floss alone, the better.
Floss
In addition to teeth
Oral health is not limited to teeth. It is also necessary to clean the gums, the tongue and the inner part of the cheeks.
Complaints
Never ignore a child’s complaint regarding their teeth, even if you don’t find any apparent problems. If the child complains of something related to pain or hypersensitivity to hot or cold foods, quickly find a dentist.
Visit the dentist
Even if there are no visible cavities or other tooth problems, take your child to the dentist at least once a year.
Braces
Misaligned teeth can cause wear and occlusion problems, in addition to making oral hygiene difficult. If you notice that your child’s teeth are misaligned, find a specialized pediatric dentist or orthodontist.
Toothpaste
Choose a toothpaste containing the proper ratio of fluorine for children, between 1,000 and 1,500 ppm (parts per million). Fluorine is the most powerful anticaries agent known and avoids many problems. If possible, choose a cream that, in addition to containing the correct amount of fluoride, also has a pleasant taste and comes in packages with games that make brushing a lot of fun, like the Colgate Kids line, developed especially for children.
Do not ingest. Use under the supervision of an adult. Read more information on the back of the product.
The main guidelines to follow are:
Clean your teeth daily, at least 3 times a day, and for at least two minutes.
Choose a suitable brush that the head size is not too large and that the bristles are medium or soft.
Use dental floss or tapes or, if the spaces are wide, interproximal brushes, to clean between the teeth (interproximal spaces).
Change the toothbrush approximately every 3 months.
Use plaque developers to make the oral biofilm more visible and, therefore, facilitate brushing.
Carry out the tongue cleaning with a movement from back to front to remove food debris, scaly cells, mucus, bacteria, etc.
Use oral irrigators to eliminate bacteria deposited on teeth, gums, and hard-to-reach places.
Carry out mouthwashes (for daily use or specific according to needs), to effectively reduce oral biofilm and provide maximum freshness.
Control the consumption of sugary foods. The ideal is to avoid eating them but, if they are consumed, it is important to brush your teeth afterward.
Go regularly to the dentist to perform a review of the mouth, at least 1-2 times a year, as well as professional cleaning.
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