As a parent, you might have realized that one of the biggest challenges for you is to teach your children about the importance of oral hygiene. However, it is important that they understand and know how to take care of their teeth from a young age. After all, it is easier to prevent dental issues than to treat the same issues. Taking specific measures such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing their teeth with mouthwash will help children prevent any serious teeth problems.
In this article, you will be able to learn how to teach your children to take proper care of their teeth, as well as learn what food and beverages they should avoid. Let’s take a look:
Contents
Teach the Children a Comprehensive Oral Hygiene Routine
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Source: BabyCenter
In order to protect your kids’ teeth, you will need to introduce them to an effective routine. You should encourage them to brush their teeth at least twice a day, and children under the age of 8 should be supervised, hence, you will be able to see if they are brushing their teeth properly.
According to the experts from pvpd.com, you should also teach them proper flossing methods in order to prevent them from injuring themselves, as well as get fluoride treatments to prevent their teeth from decaying. Keep in mind that regular visits to the dentist’s office are needed. You should visit your dentist at least every six months to a year.
Feed Them Food that is Teeth-Friendly
![](https://thefrisky.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/healthy-foods-730x529.jpg)
Source: Elite Dental Care
You should talk to your kids about the food that will help their teeth remain healthy and strong. Keep in mind that you should tell them the reasons why specific foods are good or why specific foods are bad for them. They should avoid consuming sugary sodas, sports drinks, and fruit juices. Also, food that is high in carbs such as potato chips, snack bars, and pasta should be moderately consumed.
Dairy products like milk and cheese are great for them and a recent study states that these products protect the teeth from acid erosin. Instead of giving them juice boxes, you can make home-made, natural juice from oranges, apples, or peaches. It is also recommended that they eat nuts and wholegrain cereal.
Know Which Candy and Sugary Treats They Should Eat
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Source: Dentistry For Children
There is no way that you can avoid giving your children candy. However, there are some sugary treats that they can eat without them damaging their teeth. You can opt for giving them dark chocolate which contains a lot of antioxidants, sugar-free bubble gum which will dislodge food that got stuck between their teeth, and hard candies and sugar-free lollipops which are great for children. On the other hand, you should avoid giving them sugary snacks, sugary baked goods, and sour candy which can damage the tooth enamel and will promote tooth decay.
Conclusion
One of the best things that you can do as a parent is to teach your children about having good dental hygiene. This will not only help them while they are young but will also stick with them during their entire lives. Hence, do not waste any more time and start teaching your kids about proper oral hygiene.