Pediatric Dentists
Pediatric Dentists | Your child’s smile is unique and special. This means that parents and caregivers need to help maintain their child’s smile. The smile is also of much importance when it comes to appearance. The cuteness that comes with when taking photos and the glow on their faces when they smile.
However, as they grow, the more the teeth become susceptible to issues such as cavities, misalignment, and more. The good thing is, there are several ways you can improve their smile. Here is a handy guide on how to improve your child’s smile.
Steer Clear of Sugar
Pediatric dentists often see cases of severe decay due to sugar. Kids and sugar are like bees to flowers and it will be an uphill task trying to keep them away from sugar. However, this is the price you have to pay if you want to improve that cute gorgeous smile. Dieting plays a major role in dental health be it, adults or kids. Sugar is lethal to teeth, especially kids’ teeth since they are weak and still developing.
Drinks like soda and fruit juice which are very popular to kids are lethal to their teeth and you need to raise them in an environment that is free of these sugary agents. This begins with you as the parent to also change your dietary habits. There is no way your kid will desist from taking soda if you have a fridge fully stocked with such beverages, candy or cakes or any other form of confectionary. The sugar from these foods and drinks stick to their teeth and provides food to bacteria which in turn creates acid. For this reason, pediatric dentists suggest offering more healthier options.
As if the sugar is not enough, carbonate drinks are even worse, with phosphoric and citric acids which to say the truth is not friendly to the enamel at all. These two wears down the enamel and from there, the little cute smile is nowhere to be enjoyed again with an addition of sensitivity to the agony of decaying teeth.
To improve that smile and improve it, you need to ensure that your child has little or no intake of sugary foods and drinks.
Use a Recommended Tooth Brush
There are so many companies these days in the manufacture of toothbrushes but unfortunately, not all of them are recommended by dentists for use. At the same time, this might seem like a trivial matter, looking for a good toothbrush but it plays a very key role to improve your child’s smile.
As pediatric dentists recommend, small toothbrushes with soft rounded bristles work perfectly for kids since they do not have a mouth as big as that of an adult. Go for a toothbrush with a head small enough to comfortably fit inside the mouth of your child between their cheeks and the back molars. It is even better bringing your kid to the supermarket to pick out a toothbrush.
If your child is old enough to brush his or her teeth on their own, get a brush that has a comfortable handle, preferably one with a good grip. At the same time, manufacturers come up with toothbrush designs of different shapes and sizes and as much as there is not known a recommendation for toothbrush shape, go for that which is simple and comfortable. Always consult with pediatric dentists to learn more about the best toothbrushes.
Buying a good brush, however, does not cut it. Adopt a good habit of brushing their teeth often, especially after meals if you are looking to improve their smile.
Consider Dental Sealants
Prevention is better than cure, which means you have to prevent the decays and staining rather than worry about find a remedy. For some children, brushing alone might not be enough to improve and maintain the smile and you need to consider talking to pediatric dentists about dental sealants.
Dental sealants are applied on the chewing surface of the kid’s teeth as a protective barrier. As your child gets older, they develop fissures and pits that easily keep food which feeds harmful bacteria that cause cavities.
Talk to your child’s pediatric dentists about dental sealants on their teeth. The sealant fills these pits and any other space between teeth where food could be retained and prevents any decays or even staining from certain foods, drinks or chemicals.
Visit Pediatric Dentists
To improve and maintain your child’s smile and dental health in general, make sure you visit the dentist every 6 months for checkups and cleaning if need be. As you go for the appointment, the dentist can check for any anomalies and if any is present, treat them before it is too late. It is advisable to have a specific dentist for your child, probably the family dentist but if not, there are good pediatric dentists you can choose from and improve your child’s smile.
A child’s smile is arguably the most precious thing. Learn more about pediatric dental services by contacting any of our offices! We look forward to meeting you.