Tips to Ensure Your Smile Stays Healthy

As proud, caring, loving, and responsible parents, we know your child is the most important thing in your life. We know that because of this, you will do everything in your power to keep your child as happy and healthy as possible in all aspects.

At Parkway Pediatrics, as parents ourselves, we understand this feeling. We are committed to working with you and your child to provide excellent dental care and ensure that their oral health is second to none.

We are thrilled to play an important role in your kid’s healthy dental development. Such work helps them grow up to be happy adults with strong self-esteem and social skills. Not to mention that this type of specialized care also helps maintain their good health.

When to Bring Your Child for Dental Care?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child goes to the dentist by age one or within six months after the first tooth erupts. Primary teeth usually begin coming in at around six months.

Contrary to popular belief, primary teeth are very important for your child’s dental growth. Many parents believe these teeth are disposable, and since permanent teeth will replace them, others think they don’t require as much attention as some experts say.

Quite the contrary, primary teeth require more care. Teeth have a protective layer called enamel; however, this protective layer is not as durable or resilient in primary teeth. As such, dental hygiene is vital to preserving these dental structures as your kid begins to taste foods that could promote the growth of harmful bacteria.

As for the importance of these pieces, well here are some reasons primary teeth are so important:

• Helping children chew properly and maintain good nutrition.
• Improvement in proper speech development.
• Helping save proper space for permanent teeth.
• Giving children a healthy smile they can feel proud and confident with

What Are Some Tips for Proper Dental Care in Children?

It might be challenging to introduce children to proper dental care, especially at a young age —Scratch that— We know for a fact that it is challenging as we have to do that constantly here in our Roanoke office.

However, there’s much caregivers and parents can do to help children with their dental health.

The earlier we help them get into the habit of a dental care routine, the better overall oral health they will have.

Children seldom understand the importance of brushing teeth, rinsing their mouths with mouthwash, or flossing carefully. Words such as bacteria, decay, cavities, and plaque have little meaning. Recommendations to avoid some sugary beverages right before bed sounds more like a terrible prohibition measure instead of the caring recommendation it actually is.

But we cannot give up. Regrettably, according to this study from our national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children here in the US. As pediatric dentists, we see a lot of children with cavities.

Sometimes, parents aren’t aware of which foods and beverages are harmful to their children’s teeth. In other cases, kids are not paying enough attention to their dental hygiene routines.

Tips for Early Dental Care

Here are some simple ways to help keep cavities away.

• Brushing and Flossing: Teach your child the importance of brushing and flossing at least twice a day, and if possible, after every meal. Regular brushing decreases how much bacteria builds up in your mouth, lowering the risk of cavities.
• The Importance of Fluoride: When brushing, try to use fluoride toothpaste. Regular use of fluoride toughens the enamel, making it harder for acid to penetrate. This way, you can help keep your child’s teeth protected. However, avoid using fluoride toothpaste if your child is under two years old.
• Foods to Avoid: It’s essential you avoid or limit the amount of some foods, especially those that contain high levels of sugar, such as juices, candy, gummy bears, gummy vitamins, or even sodas. If consumed, try to rinse or brush your child’s teeth after consumption.

The Best Dental Care Roanoke Children Can Get

We know so much information can be overwhelming, and as a caring and responsible parent wanting the very best for your child, you must have plenty of questions.

Don’t worry! The team at Parkway Pediatric Dentistry is here to help you.

Our goal is to help your child achieve a bright and healthy smile. Remember that at Parkway Pediatric Dentistry, we create treatment plans for every child based on their dental profile.

We understand that each child is unique, and we strive to make each child shine. Make an appointment for your child today. Contact us by calling: 540-900-0248. Or make an appointment online here.