GOOD clean fun

MAKE SURE YOUR KIDS KNOW HOW TO LOOK AFTER THEIR TEETH

You might think the state of your children’s teeth isn’t a big deal. After all, they’ll eventually all fall out to be replaced by permanent ones – what does it matter if they’re not properly looked after?

In fact, it matters a lot, because habits your kids form during childhood when it comes to looking after their dental health tend to carry over into adulthood. If they don’t take care of their teeth when they’re younger, chances are they won’t do it once their adult teeth come in.

Not looking after baby teeth properly can also lead to the teeth being lost before they are ready to fall out naturally, and that is something you should be concerned about.

If children lose baby teeth too early, there is nothing left to guide permanent teeth into place. This can cause teeth coming through to be misaligned and mean they are more likely to need braces or even surgery later in life. Losing baby teeth early can also lead to problems with speech.

You should be looking after children’s teeth from the moment they pop through the gums. Use a soft brush and toothpaste specially developed for babies to brush them as soon as they come in. While it is important to teach them to brush properly once they’re old enough, you may also need to help them out on occasion to make sure the job is being done properly.

They should be taught to floss as soon as their teeth begin fitting closely together. Encourage them to brush and floss their teeth properly twice a day by:

• Explaining why it is important. Talk about how they need to be cleaned to get rid of nasty bugs that can put holes in their teeth, which may mean they won’t be able to chew properly.

• Brush your teeth in front of your child so they can see how it is done and then copy you. Don’t make it out to be a chore, but just something that is a non-negotiable part of their everyday routine.

• Set a timer. Teeth should really be brushed for two minutes, but most of us do it for less than that.

• Let them choose a toothbrush they like with their favourite characters on it.

It is also vital to teach them that what they eat and drink plays a big part in dental health, so they should go easy on the sweet stuff. Get them in the habit of rinsing out their mouth with water after they have eaten or drunk anything sugary. Even if they’ve done that, they need to be vigilant about cleaning thoroughly when they next brush their teeth.

Let them know that drinking and eating foods that contain calcium and vitamin D – such as milk, cheese, almonds and leafy green veges – will help to build strong teeth.

And lastly, drill home the importance (pun intended!) of going to the dental clinic regularly. Don’t perpetuate the myth that it is a scary and painful experience, but make sure they know it is necessary because the dentist or dental nurse can fix problems before they get worse, and also help to clean areas that are hard to reach.