A Perfect Smile for Your Child

Kids are the most prone to suffer caries because they eat more often, too many food rich in sugar, lollies and soft-drinks and they don’t know yet how to brush their teeth properly. What can you do to prevent caries and other conditions? Here we give the most frequent mistakes you should avoid:

Do not take your child to the dentist at the age of 3. It is convenient to take the kid to the specialist from that age because it is when they can intervene in the bad habits the kid could have, and evaluate the status of their dental pieces to prevent possible oral complications. Moreover, it is recommended to visit the dentist in case of caries, any hit in the mouth, when a tooth gets broken, if a permanent tooth is hit or if their jaws don’t engage when bitting.

Unhealthy food. It is necessary to include 2 to 3 portions of dairy a day, trying to cover the need of calcium and vitamin D, two important nutrients in the formation of healthy teeth. Also, it is important to include cereals, fruits, veggies, proteins and healthy fats. But we should avoid as much as possible all kind of highly sugared food, they will get stuck in between teeth and they will end up generate caries. A high intake of sugars not only affects the oral health of your kids, it will increase the risk of overweight and diabetes among other illnesses.

Not use fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that helps to prevent caries, being present in tooth paste, oral washers, chewing gums and also in food like fish and water. Until the kid turns the age of 1 or 2 you can apply a small amount and do it every 4 or 6 months. From this point and until the age of 6 it is better to use child tooth paste because it contains less fluoride. Use an amount similar to a green pea. From the age of 6 the kid can use tooth paste for adults and an amount of 1 or 2 cm over the tooth brush.

Leave your kids alone when brushing their teeth. The majority of kids don’t have enough motor skills to brush their teeth efficiently until they turn 8. You have to supervise and make sure that every tooth surface is clean. Try to main the brush in 45 degree angle and help hip to rub alternatively the interior and exterior side making movements downwards from the gum and circles in each tooth. Do not forget to teach your kids in their oral hygiene. It is fundamental to guarantee them a healthy smile from their childhood.