Not many people can deny it: Dinosaurs are awesome. If your children think so, too, take them out to the Jurassic Quest in Dallas next weekend. Something else you should inform your kids of is dental health. Sure, it may sound boring or over the top night time story material, but you can play it off as an adventure just like going to see the prehistoric creatures. Not only is educating people about dinosaurs important, but educating your children about taking care of their teeth and overall oral health is monumental, as well. Dr. Wright offers advice on helping you help your children maintain their smile.
The Basics
The basics of keeping your mouth clean involve four major elements: brushing, flossing, rinsing, and dental visits.
Brushing: Have your child brush once in the morning and once at night to help stay ahead of any plaque formation or bad bacteria growth inside their mouth. Gentle, circular strokes over the front, back, and occlusal (top) surfaces of their teeth usually rids their mouth of most plaque and bacteria.
Floss: The tooth brush can’t reach all parts of your mouth. So, have your child learn to use floss in between their teeth to dislodge or remove any other food particles. To correctly floss, use smooth, arching motions when engaging the string between your teeth and around the gumline. Any aggressive movement with the floss may cause gum tissue damage or inflammation.
Rinse: A child friendly mouth rinse, usually something with fluoride, will help dissolve any particles or existing bacteria from the mouth if used at least once a day, preferably at night before bed. Have your child take about half a dixie cup worth of mouth rinse in their mouth and rinse around for 30-40 seconds, then spit it into the sink.
Dental Visits: Depending on your child’s dental needs, their visits may be more or less frequent than their friends or family members around their age. The best way to determine the ideal number of visits per year is to ask your dentist. Based on your child’s oral health, your dentist will explain what would be the best practice for visits moving forward from the child’s initial exam and treatment.
ABOUT YOUR SOUTHLAKE DENTISTS:
As a native Texan, Gregory Wright, DDS, opened his private practice in Southlake, TX in 1992. He and Dr. Victoria Heron are happily accepting new patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities. To learn more, call our office today at (817) 481-7999.
