If you are a parent, then your oral hygiene concerns extend to more than just your own smile. Before they ever understand the importance of good dental health, kids need protection against tooth decay. Even as they start taking care of their teeth by brushing and flossing on their own, you should provide guidance to help them prevent issues from occurring. Our Rochester, MN dentist’s office is proud to provide oral health services to patients of all ages. While we can help your family members during general dental exams and pediatric dental checkups, you have an important role to play in protecting your child’s smile, and your own, between appointments.
Oral Health Is About More Than Just Brushing And Flossing
It is important to acknowledge that your commitment to good oral health means more than just brushing and flossing regularly. Sure, these practices have value, but you should also focus on the impact that your diet is going to have on your potential risk for cavities. One reason kids are sometimes more vulnerable to cavities is that they may have a harder time turning down candy, soft drinks, and other sugary products. Take the quality of meals and snacks seriously in order to help everyone in your household avoid dental fillings or dental crowns at future appointments.
Encouraging Kids To Take Good Care Of Their Teeth
Once they are old enough, kids become responsible for their own brushing and flossing. Of course, this does not mean you have no way of helping them to keep their teeth healthy. Checking in and brushing along with them can give you a chance to evaluate their practices and model your own good behaviors. To give kids a sense of what a thorough brushing practice should feel like, set up a timer for two minutes and have them brush until it goes off.
Check In With Your Own Oral Health Care Routine
Are the oral hygiene habits you model for your kids as effective as they could and should be? If you have struggled with cavities in the past, or if you just want to make certain you are doing a good job instructing your youngsters, take time to review your current practices. Are you swapping out toothbrushes every three months? Are you flossing on a daily basis? How often do you spend a full two minutes brushing? If you feel uncertain about your current behaviors, you can use your next dental checkup as a chance to review your routine with your dentist.
Calcagno Cosmetic And Family Dentistry Helps Rochester Families With Oral Health Care!
At Calcagno Cosmetic And Family Dentistry, we are proud to have helped many Rochester families take great care of their teeth! To learn how we can help you, please call our Rochester, MN dentist’s office at (507) 281-3659.
