Your dental health is essential to your overall well-being. Better oral hygiene ensures a bright smile, prevents certain diseases, and helps your teeth stay healthy for your entire life. In today’s blog from Parkcrest Dental Group’s pediatric dentistry staff, we offer four dental health tips.
1. Milk or Water With Meals
It’s challenging to get kids to drink water because it doesn’t have much flavor. However, milk is a good alternative. Certainly avoid sugary drinks, such as fruit drinks and soda. Water is the perfect mealtime beverage because it helps wash away any bits of food that may lodge in between teeth. Less food stuck between teeth means fewer chances for cavities. Our pediatric dentistry office wants your children to consume healthy drinks!
2. Crunchy Vegetables
Celery and carrots are favorites when it comes to vegetables and kids. Both veggies taste good. They also help your kids chew more because they are crunchy. More chewing action leads to better oral hygiene because the chewing action moves more saliva around. Saliva is a natural tooth cleaner that prevents acid build-up, which makes our job easier as a pediatric dentistry group.
3. Keeping Toothbrushes Clean
You’ve probably seen covers for toothbrushes that try to keep stuff off of them. These covers keep your toothbrushes wet for longer periods of time. Moisture encourages bacterial growth, which can lead to infections in your mouth. The best thing to do is to store your toothbrush in an upright position away from bathroom contamination. Store your toothbrush away from places where people use the bathroom or wash their hands to avoid any E. coli growth. Replace your toothbrush every three months, or once per season. Parkcrest’s pediatric dentistry experts can give you more tips on how to store your toothbrushes properly.
4. Tongue
Your tongue’s health contributes to your overall oral hygiene. Encourage your kids to brush their tongue lightly to remove bacteria. Kids can reduce the amount of bacteria that cause dental decay, bad breath, and even sore throat (strep). Just a gentle brushing with a toothbrush should suffice for children. Our pediatric dentistry staff can demonstrate to you and your children how to brush their tongue correctly.
Dental Health & Parkcrest Dental Group
If you have any questions about your child’s dental hygiene, the pediatric dentistry experts at Parkcrest Dental Group are available. We can make recommendations for your family’s oral health to ensure your kids develop great habits at a young age. Contact Parkcrest Dental Group or call (417) 887-1220 for more information.
