A healthy mouth is something that parents can help their child attain right in the comfort of their own home. Here are 4 important keys to a healthy mouth for children – and adults!
1 – Maintain a Proper Oral Health Routine
Food debris left on your child’s teeth encourages bacteria growth that eats away at enamel and causes cavities. This is why it’s important to have a steady, consistent oral health routine. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends children brush twice per day, for two minutes at a time, and floss once per day to clean debris from the hard-to-reach areas of their teeth. A proper oral health routine is the best way to keep a mouth clean, and prevents a lot of oral health ailments.
2 – Drink More Water
Water is a fantastic tool in the fight against bad bacteria and tooth decay. Water is not acidic, and does not harm teeth at all. In fact, it improves saliva production, which naturally cleans teeth of debris and restores the mouth back to a healthy ph balance. Try giving your child more water instead of sugary drinks to help keep their teeth strong and healthy. If they must have juice or a sweeter drink, water it down so that they aren’t consuming too much sugar at one time.
3 – Limit Sugar
Sugar feeds the bad bacteria on teeth, causing plaque and ultimately cavities, which is why you should limit the number of sugary foods and drinks that your child consumes. Before buying snacks, check the back of the package for the amount of sugar contained in the package. Try to avoid sugary drinks like soda, fruit juice and sports drinks, all of which are notoriously high in sugar.
Additionally, reconsider how many starchy snacks like bread, chips and crisps you give your child. Starch can stick onto teeth, and turn into a food-source for bad bacteria that lead to cavities.
4 – Eat a Mouth-Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is critical to getting a healthy mouth. Mouth-healthy foods like fruit, vegetables, nuts and calcium-rich items can all strengthen teeth. When buying fruit and vegetables, make sure that you purchase them in their full-forms, and that you don’t buy fruit packaged in sugary syrup. Try adding fibrous vegetables like celery, spinach or carrots to your child’s diet, since fibrous food naturally scrubs teeth clean of food debris, and combats bad bacteria buildup.
Does Your Child have a Healthy Mouth?
The best way to help your child achieve a healthy smile is by scheduling an appointment with our dental office so that we can evaluate the state of their oral health. Our team of dentists will give you a status report, and offer any treatment necessary to get your child the healthy smile they deserve.