Thursday, May 5, 2011

Dental tips for kids

http://www.adventuredental.com/ 360-604-9000  Dental problems, like cavities, tooth decay, enamel breakdown and even serious problems like gum disease can start at a very young age. And unfortunately, a child who is not familiar with proper tooth care or dental visits could develop a fear of the dentist that lasts into adulthood. This will make it more unlikely that his teeth will be properly cared for in the future. So educate your child on good dental routines early on in his life.

Childrens-dentist-vancouver-wa

Toothbrush Timer

o    It takes about two or three minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Buy your child a toothbrush that comes equipped with a timer to assure that she is brushing for more than just a few seconds (see "Resources" for an example). You can also use the timer as a way to gauge whether your child is brushing for the full amount of time.

Incentives

o    Reward your child when she does things that will contribute to her overall dental health. For instance, if she flosses, brushes her teeth for the full three minutes every morning and night for a week, and eats a carrot instead of a lollipop, reward her with a gift or just give plenty of positive reinforcement. After a while, the child's commitment to dental care will likely become a matter of habit, even after the incentives are no longer there.

Dental Visits

o    The earlier you start your child's routine of going to the dentist, the more likely he will be to continue the habit into adulthood. The first dentist visit should be at the age of 1. Take your child at least twice per year for checkups; more frequently if she is having problems with her teeth.

Also, if the parent is afraid of going to the dentist, this could cause the child to have a negative opinion of going as well. So seek counseling to get over your own fear and make an appointment for yourself and your child.

source: ehow.com

pediatric vancouver wa, kids dentist vancouver waorthodontist vancouver wa, orthodontist camas wa, braces vancouver wa