Good oral health is essential to total health and well being at any age. However, in the early stages of a child’s dental development, it’s important that they are taught and encouraged to keep their teeth clean and healthy. After all – they have to last them a long time!

Helping your children to develop good dental hygiene habits is the best place to start.

Not matter how young your children are – it’s never too early to teach them about smart dental care. Here are some of our tips on how to do this successfully:

For children ages 3–6:

Help your little ones to brush their teeth twice a day, using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Show them how to brush every tooth surface and their tongue, and make sure that they spit out the toothpaste when they are done.

For children ages 6‒13:

Encourage them to begin flossing once a day, in addition to brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.  Help children to make healthy food choices, avoiding sweets and sugars. Have them fitted for a sports mouthguard to be worn during athletic activity.

For teenagers:

Remind them to brush their teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash, and clean in between the teeth at least once a day.  Help your teenager to eliminate tobacco use and eat nutritious foods that are low in sugar. Teens should also remember to wear a sports mouthguard during active play too!

At our practice, we emphasize prevention. The best defence to dental issues is prevention by removing plaque every day with brushing and flossing before it can build up and harden into tartar. Regular checkups are also a proactive way to prevent dental health problems – before they even become a problem!

Regular checkups and excellent daily oral hygiene are the best defence against serious problems with your teeth and gums.

Education is a vital part of preventive care. During your regular visits, we will discuss best practices and answer any questions you might have, all with the goal of helping you maintain excellent oral health for life.

For more information on preventative care or to book an appointment, call the Dundas Family Dental team today.