What a delight it is to be greeted by a child’s smile! For optimal oral care, It is recommended to schedule your child’s first dental appointment around the age of one, or when the first teeth begin to show. Your trusted Southlake, TX family dentist can advise you on caring for your child’s teeth and offer suggestions as your child transitions to brushing on their own. Besides developing excellent home care habits, parents can positively affect their child’s smile with other tooth-friendly habits.

Serve Plenty of Foods Rich in Calcium

Calcium is a necessary ingredient in healthy tooth enamel, and enamel is what forms the barrier between oral bacteria and the sensitive inner portions of the tooth. When the tooth enamel is breached by decay, a cavity forms. While a tooth colored filling can be used to restore a tooth, preventing cavities before they form is even better. Calcium-rich foods include dairy products, beans, many green, leafy vegetables, some types of nuts, and foods fortified with added calcium.

Have Your Child Drink Water

Occasional sodas and juice drinks are probably part of any child’s diet, but water is by far the best thing to drink, at any age, to promote oral health. Rather than serving sweetened drinks, sports drinks and sodas as the norm, try to offer water as much as possible. When sweetened drinks are offered, consider diluting them with water, to reduce the sugar and acidity. You can also reduce their harmful effects on teeth by using a straw, drinking them with meals, and rinsing with water afterwards.

Have Your Child Wear  a Mouthguard When Needed

If your child is old enough to play organized sports, a mouthguard is a must. Youngsters who enjoy skateboarding, mountain biking, judo or any activity that may cause facial impact should also wear mouthguards. A custom-fitted mouthguard will be comfortable, smooth and fitted exactly to your child’s jaw, gums and teeth. If your child is reluctant to wear a mouthguard, our kid-friendly staff can supply them with many good reasons to keep it in place during sports and other activities.

Of Course Your Child Should Brush, But You Can do More To Help

Caring for children’s smiles is a delightful part of our practice. We can be a parent’s partner is keeping a child’s smile healthy. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Gregory Wright, DDS in Southlake, TX today at (817) 481-7999. We also proudly serve patients who live in Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities.