Dental and Vision Care for Your Children

There is a famous quote from Alice in Wonderland.

“If you don’t know where you are going, it doesn’t matter how you get there.”

Health matters, just ask someone that doesn’t have it. Let’s go on a journey to insure that your children have optimum health. In Part One of this two part series, we’re sharing our thoughts on ways to establish healthy dental habits for children and teenagers. In Part Two we will talk about healthy vision habits.

Dental Exams For Babies and Children

• As soon as your child’s first tooth appears, it’s time to schedule a dental visit. The American Dental Association (ADA)  recommends that the first dental visit take place within six months after the first tooth appears, but no later than a child’s first birthday. (This is complimentary for our patients’ children)
• Don’t wait for them to start school or until there’s an emergency. Get your child comfortable today with good mouth healthy habits. Although the first visit is mainly for the dentist to examine your child’s mouth and check growth and development, it’s also about your child being comfortable.
• To make the visit Positive: Consider making a morning appointment when children tend to be rested and cooperative. Keep any anxiety or concerns you have to yourself. Children can pick up on your emotions, so emphasize the positive.
• Never use a dental visit as a punishment or threat. Never bribe your child. Talk with your child about visiting the dentist.

If you’d like to learn more, test yourself with this Fact or Fiction Babies and Kids Healthy Mouth Quiz.

Dental Exams for Teens

• The bottom line for smiles that are healthy on the inside and out: Always brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes. Floss between your teeth daily.
• Avoid sugary and starchy snacks.
• Wear a mouth-guard when you’re active.
• Don’t smoke.
• Don’t pierce your lips or any part of your mouth. See your dentist. Regular dental visits will help set you up to be Mouth Healthy for Life.

Keeping your bi-annual cleaning and exams, establishes good healthy oral hygiene habits. Preventative is the name of the game. If your child is receiving orthodontic treatment it’s even more important to stay on top of oral hygiene.

As you can see, regular checkups matter. You don’t want to be Alison Wonderland, not knowing how to help your children have Positive Dental health. Remember, eating healthy needs to be included also. In the Part Two of our series on children’s health, we share thoughts on how to establish healthy vision habits for your kids.

Was this helpful? Do you now feel you have more information to help your children?

We’d love to hear how you ensure that your children have their  annual/biannual exams.