Useful Advice for Children’s Dental Health
February is Children’s Dental Health Month! Saskatchewan has one of the highest rates of pediatric dentistry in Canada, which is particularly upsetting as it is completely preventable. Proper nutrition is the responsibility of the parent, as is maintaining good oral health. Too often we see the results of introducing unhealthy foods into children’s diets and allowing themto dictate what is getting eaten. Sugar is as addictive as drugs and does enormous damage to our teeth and the rest of our body. Choosing to limit the amount consumed, as well as when it is consumed, is the best thing you can do to care for your children.
Reminders for your children:
- Milk and juice contain sugar! Going to bed with anything other than water allows that sugar to sit on your teeth all night, forming bacteria and increasing the risk of cavities.
- If your parents do allow some sugary treats, eat them with your meal. You have more saliva in your mouth when you are eating, which helps to wash away the sugar.
- Look for healthy snacks! Great choices include: carrot sticks, cucumbers, celery, cheese cubes, nuts and seeds, and fruit (preferably with cheese, to help with the sugar and acidity of the fruit).
- Use a soft bristled brush that fits the size of your child’s mouth and be gentle with your gums. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride, but remember to spit it out after you brush.You only need a small amount of paste– just the size of a small pea will do. If you can’t spit yet, have your parent smear a small amount on instead.
- Flossing is important too! It helps to get allsurfaces of your teeth squeaky clean.
- Always brush before bedtime! Do not give the bacteria a chance to do their dirty work!
- You are growing so quickly, and that means your mouth is changing quickly too. Visit us every 6 months so we can make sure your mouth is staying as healthy as the rest of you.
Did you know that bacteria in your mouth can travel to other parts of your body? Keeping your mouth healthy helps keep your whole body healthy! Contact us if you would like to book an appointment, we are here to help you improve your dental health.
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