Dental problems among children are prevalent in Georgia. In 2011, it was found that 19% of 3rd-grade students in the state have untreated tooth decay, and 52% have caries experience. Continued efforts of families, communities, and institutions are needed to combat dental health issues among children in the state.
To ensure that your child receives the best dental care, here are some proven tips:
Establish the right tooth brushing practices
Just like there are proper ways to cook a meal, there are appropriate ways to brush the teeth. For one, your child needs to brush for at least 2 minutes twice a day and make sure that every nook and cranny is being brushed.
You should also train your child to pay attention to the back teeth, which usually gets neglected. Start flossing as soon as teeth touch or even earlier. Moreover, make sure your child uses a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and spits it out after brushing.
For kids who wear braces, make sure they floss thoroughly and use a power brush. This is to avoid having white spots on their teeth when braces are removed.
You also have to teach your kids the importance of having their toothbrush replaced every six months.
If you’re finding it hard to encourage your children to brush their teeth regularly, try using positive reinforcements. You can start by creating a reward system. For every time they brush their teeth, they get to add a sticker to their chart, and once they reach a certain number of stickers by the end of the month, they can get rewarded with a new toy perhaps.
Visit the dentist regularly
It’s easy to forget a dental checkup with all the things you have to do, but it’s crucial to establish this habit among your children. A regular dental checkup will keep you updated on the state of your child’s dental health, prevent any possible dental problem, and treat existing dental issues. Gum diseases, for example, need to be treated as soon as possible to avoid worsening the condition.
There are many dental practitioners in Georgia. Whether you’re in Woodstock or Canton, orthodontic services are not hard to come by. You do have to check the quality of their services so that you can be sure that your child’s dental health is in good hands.
Discourage too much sugar
The number one culprit in causing tooth decay is sugar. The longer and more frequent your child’s teeth are exposed to sugar, the higher the risk for cavities.
“Sticky sugar” found in caramelized treats, gums, dried fruits, and more are particularly hard to remove from your children’s teeth, increasing the risk for plaque buildup and decays. Explain to your kids why too much sugar is harmful to their teeth, and give them healthier snack alternatives.
It only takes a few right dental care practices to keep your children’s teeth healthy. Kids in Georgia can enjoy healthier, brighter smiles with the help of their parents, teachers, and the entire community.
