Dentist in 78745 Area Breaks Down the Importance of Children's Dental Health
February often comes with handmade valentines, chocolate, candy, and flowers, but did you know it should also come with a dental checkup? February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. That means it is the perfect time to bring your kids in for their annual dental cleaning and checkup to make sure their smile is healthy and happy! Our dentist in the 78745 area is dedicated to helping children throughout the community have beautiful and healthy smiles.
Schedule Their Next Visit
No matter how good of a job your child does taking care of their teeth, no smile is complete without a professional dental cleaning. Brushing and flossing daily is essential, but it is not enough to combat plaque and tartar, at least not completely. Brushing twice per day and flossing at night can help prevent the buildup of plaque, but it can’t remove tartar. Tartar is created on the surface of your teeth when plaque hardens onto the surface. If not removed, tartar can cause cavities and bacterial infections. Bring your child to the dentist every six months to have this tartar scaled off of their teeth so that their smile can stay healthy.
Get Them New Dental Tools
An easy way to encourage a healthy smile is to get your child some new tools to help care for their smile! A new toothbrush or toothpaste can be an excellent motivator when it comes to dental hygiene. A toothbrush should be replaced every 3 to 4 months for it to remain effective. Children’s toothbrushes come in a variety of colors and sometimes even have characters from their favorite shows! Bring your child to the store to help them choose a toothbrush they can be excited about using! This can help motivate them to brush more often and for longer periods of time.
Bond Through Dental Care Activities
One way to help improve your child’s smile is to make their dental care routine more fun! There are several ways to help your child enjoy the process of caring for their teeth. Some ideas include playing music, a rewards calendar with small prizes, or even just making tooth brushing time a bonding activity. One of the best ways to model good brushing technique is to brush your teeth with them.
Show Them The Plaque
One way you can teach your child about the dangers of plaque is by having them try a plaque-disclosing tablet. This is a simple and safe way to highlight the plaque on your child’s teeth. This tablet can help your child see where they may be missing when they brush and floss.
Looking for other tips and tricks to ensure your kids have a strong and healthy smile? Call Grand Oaks Dentistry at (512) 291-1666 and ask our staff any questions or concerns you may have!
