You may have fantastic oral hygiene habits, but that doesn’t mean your family will follow suit. While setting a good example is important, there are some additional steps that you can take to ensure your whole family has a healthy mouth. Getting your kids to care about their oral hygiene is not always easy but instilling good habits from a young age will ensure that they carry them on into adulthood.
Regular check-ups
Regular dental check-ups are extremely important, especially for your kids. Their formative years are the most pivotal when it comes to identifying any potential issues with their teeth. Some children have porous teeth that are more prone to cavities and they may need to see their dentist more often. Your family dentist will also be able to identify if your children’s teeth are coming in crooked and what take methods are needed to help them grow straight. When choosing your family dentist, look for one that offers 24 hour dental care so that if you have any emergencies you can get in straight away.
Brush accurately
If you’re not brushing your teeth the correct way, then it’s not going to be effective in keeping your teeth healthy. The proper way to brush is in a circular motion on the front, top, and back of your teeth. Avoid scrubbing back and forth as it can cause damage to the gums and teeth. If your kids don’t want to follow your instructions, then have your dentist explain to them how to brush their teeth accurately. Try to make it fun by incorporating a song that helps them clean for the recommended 2 minutes.
Mouthguards
Mouthguards are incredibly important to protect your family’s teeth from damage when engaging in any type of sporting activity. They are often overlooked and not the most attractive, but they look better than having no teeth. By encouraging your children to wear a mouthguard when playing soccer, football, or even skateboarding, you can help take care of their teeth. Have your dentist custom-fit a mouthguard for your child as they will be more likely to wear it if it’s comfortable and fits appropriately.
Eat a healthy diet
The health of your mouth is directly related to what you are putting in it. Foods that contain a high amount of sugar are hugely damaging on the enamel of teeth and can quickly lead to tooth decay. Try to eliminate as much sugar as possible from your family’s diet, especially refined ones. Avoid soda and carbonated beverages as they encourage the build-up of plaque and tartar on your teeth, causing cavities. Aim to include high calcium foods in your family’s diet, such as leafy greens, nuts, and seeds. The extra calcium is essential to your bone health, which includes your teeth.
You may also want to consider adding vitamins and supplements to give your body an extra boost. Vitamins that encourage saliva production will wash harmful bacteria away from your teeth. Saliva is your mouth’s natural defense, so the more, the merrier. The best vitamins for oral health include iron, magnesium, Vitamin B, and Vitamin D.