Summary
I've talked about a few ways a mother can help keep her child's teeth as healthy as possible by following a few important techniques.
Do you have trouble dragging your child to the dentist each time you have to pay them a visit? I know this can be a problem, but luckily there are ways to get around it. Everything revolves around education, peace of mind, and preventative action, so let's look at some of the things you should think about when it comes to young children and their teeth.
Find a nice dentist
Some people like kids, whereas others don't seem to click with them. It's just the way the world works and some people are better with children than others, but when you are looking for a dentist you want one your child will like. They need to be able to put them at ease because you don't want your child to be scared of the dentist by choosing the wrong one. Sometimes it's better to ask around because some of your friends might be able to recommend one to you.
Talk with them
Children will obviously be scared when some stranger is putting metal tools in their mouth, so you will have to talk with them before they visit the dentist. You might find you need to talk with them before every appointment because they will need a little reassurance. Tell them everything is going to be alright and explain to them why they need to use specific tools. Also make them realize how important it is to make sure their teeth stay as healthy as possible so they look great later down the line.
Get some questions ready
Unless you've attended dental school you won't be able to explain things in great detail, but this won't be a problem if you choose a dentist who is great with kids. Ask your child to write down a list of things they want to ask the dentist because I'm sure they'll have a few. When they receive answers from an authoritative figure they're much more likely to listen to them. If they're having trouble coming up with questions I'm sure you can prod them along in order to help them out.
Teach them to brush their teeth
This might seem obvious at first, but if you were to conduct a study I bet you'd find most children don't brush their teeth correctly. When they visit the dentist you can ask them to explain exactly what they need to do. Watch your child in the beginning to make sure they're doing it correctly. You can even download an app to your phone or tablet and your child will be able to use it when cleaning their teeth. It will make sure they hit all the right spots and that they're brushing for long enough each time.
Deal with their diet
I know children love to eat chocolate and drink soda, but all that sugar is going to affect their teeth in a negative way. You must make sure your child follows a healthy diet in order to protect their teeth as much as possible. Some parents take things to the extreme by banning treats altogether, but you don't need to go that far and they can still enjoy a piece of chocolate. Just make sure their diet isn't too bad and that they brush their teeth 30 minutes after eating something with a lot of sugar in it.
A bright future ahead
Once your child knows the importance of the dentist and healthy teeth they'll grow up with a much better attitude towards looking after them. It's your job as a parent to try your hardest to make sure you get it right so your child doesn't end up with dentures at an early age. If you follow the tips we've talked about today you won't be able to get it wrong.
The author of this article, Karen Fernandes, is a freelance blogger who enjoys sharing her ideas and experiences online. Her hobbies include gardening and pottery. She likes travelling and exploring new places in her leisure time.