How You Can Help Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthy

In yesterday’s blog, we discussed how dental cleanings and checkups prevent many common oral health problems. These visits are important for patients of all ages, including kids. You can bring your children in for their first dental checkup as early as the age of one year old, or as soon as they develop their first baby tooth. The team at Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, is here to help teach healthy habits and make these visits a positive experience for your little one.

Practice Oral Hygiene At Home

It can be difficult to teach your child the importance of dental health. To help with this process, you can begin at home by demonstrating an effective hygiene routine. Lead by example by brushing and flossing twice a day and explain to your littles that this helps get rid of bacteria from throughout the days. You can include an oral hygiene routine into your baby’s routine by brushing their gums each day. When their first tooth erupts, you can gently brush with a soft bristled brush to help get them used to this step. As your child gets older, they can learn to brush by themselves with your supervision. If your little one seems to have trouble with this, you may be able to make this task more fun by doing it alongside them, playing music, or changing their toothpaste. Your dentist may be able to offer additional tips to make this routine more fun.

Checkups Are For Kids And Adults

It can be difficult to schedule your kids’ dentist visits along with the many other activities they may be involved in. To make this process easier, you can schedule checkups for your family on the same day, which allows your kids and yourself to get your cleaning and examination done. Dental checkups are important for patients of all ages to help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems.

Your child’s checkup will look similar to your own. They will have their teeth cleaned and flossed by a professional, and then their dentist will examine their smiles. We understand that these visits may be intimidating for some young kids, and our team will do their best to make this a fun experience for them. A common problem that younger patients face is dental decay, so if we notice signs of this, fluoride treatment may be recommended to help restrengthen the enamel and prevent cavities. We also offer restorations for kids, such as dental fillings, if your child does develop a cavity.

Schedule An Appointment With Our Team

Don’t forget to bring your kids in for a dental cleaning and examination before they go back to school! Call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, today at (515) 965-0230 to schedule your visit.