There’s nothing quite as beautiful as a child’s smile, but unexpected dental crises like toothaches, cracks, and mouth injuries can set your little one up for unpleasant oral health consequences. Thankfully, there are a few easy precautions you can take to help your child keep their teeth healthy and avoid dental emergencies. Here’s a quick look at three effective ways to keep your kid’s teeth safe so they can enjoy a lifetime of excellent oral health.
Teach Your Child Excellent Oral Hygiene
Excellent oral care habits are your child’s first line of defense against oral infections and injuries. Every day, your child should be brushing using gentle, short, circular strokes for at least two minutes each time and flossing to eliminate plaque and food debris from between the teeth. When they turn six, it’s best for them to start using antibacterial mouthwash regularly. The best way to teach your child proper oral hygiene is to brush alongside them so they can imitate your excellent habits and receive guidance when needed.
Have Your Child See Their Pediatric Dentist Regularly
It’s best to schedule your child’s first dental appointment when they receive their first tooth or around their first birthday, whichever comes first, and they should continue seeing their dentist every six months from then on. These appointments allow your family’s pediatric oral health professional to monitor their teeth and gums, address problems in their early stages, and recommend better hygiene habits. This can help your child avoid preventable infections that can lead to agonizing toothaches and other serious oral health problems.
Have Your Child Fitted with a Customized Mouthguard
Sports are an excellent way for children to get exercise and learn teamwork and sportsmanship, but many kids suffer preventable dental injuries during play because their teeth are not properly protected. Your pediatric dentist can provide your child with a customized athletic mouthguard that offers protection far superior to similar one-size-fits-all appliances you can buy at the store. This can mitigate the damage caused by oral injuries and prevent serious issues like large cracks and tooth loss.
It’s always better to prevent an emergency than to need to resolve it. Consulting with your dentist will help you find the best ways to keep your child’s smile safe and beautiful.
About the Practice
Casper Children’s Dental Clinic offers the finest pediatric oral healthcare to the local community. Led by Dr. Ryne S. Paulson, the team ensures that each patient enjoys effective treatments in a kid-friendly environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry for children. To learn more about how you can prevent dental emergencies, contact the office online or dial (307) 266-1997.