February is Children’s Dental Health Month, and the team at Myrtle Grove Implant and Family Dentistry is celebrating by sharing some of our best tips for keeping your little one’s teeth healthy!
Tooth decay is the #1 most common preventable chronic disease in children, so taking steps to protect your child’s oral health should be one of your top priorities this year. Here are some tips from Dr. Graves and the team to make sure your child’s teeth are happy and healthy:
1. Watch Their Diet
A good place to start is with your child’s diet. Try to avoid letting them drink too much juice or soda, as these sugary and acidic beverages can damage the teeth. Feed them whole fruit, and beverages like water and milk, which will help keep the teeth strong.
You should also limit certain foods, like candy, particularly gummy candy, as the sugars from these treats tend to collect in the crevices of the teeth. If your child does consume candy, juice, or other sugary foods, make sure they rinse or brush their teeth immediately afterward.
2. Encourage Good Oral Health Habits (And Supervise Brushing)
Children can start brushing their own teeth when they have enough manual dexterity to do so. Usually, this is around the time that they can learn to tie their own shoe (typically about age 5-6). Until then, you’ll need to brush your child’s teeth to ensure that it is done properly.
Even when your kids learn to brush their own teeth, supervise them and make sure they’re doing it correctly and for at least two minutes.
3. Start Flossing (And Lead By Example)
As a family, you and your kids should learn to floss, and do so at least once per day. You may have to floss for your kids until they’re 8-10 years old, but it’s worth doing so. Flossing is one of the most powerful ways to fight against oral bacteria that cause both gum disease and gingivitis.
4. Visit The Dentist At Least Twice Per Year For An Exam And Teeth Cleaning
Take your child to the dentist starting when their first tooth erupts, or around their first birthday; whichever occurs first. Schedule regular oral exams and teeth cleanings every 6 months thereafter, to ensure that your dentist can track their oral development and treat any potential cavities or other issues before they become more severe.
5. Consider An Orthodontic Consultation
You should get a comprehensive orthodontic consultation by the time your child is 7, to ensure that they can begin any required treatments at a younger age. This will lead to better overall results, and a healthier mouth as your child grows older.
Contact Us For An Appointment Today – We’re Always Taking New Patients! What better way is there to celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month than to schedule a checkup for your child (and yourself) at Myrtle Grove Implant and Family Dentistry?
Dr. Graves is an experienced family and general dentist in RiverLights, Carolina Beach, and South Wilmington. You can trust us to deliver friendly, informative, and patient-focused care for your entire family. Get started by giving us a call now at (910) 742-0664, or coming to our office at 5920 Carolina Beach Road, Suite #140, Wilmington, NC, 28412.
Got a same day appointment, no waiting!!! Thank you all for the extraordinary service from the dentist and staff. I would highly recommend you to them a try. I think you will a return patient as I will be. Best dental experience I’ve had. Thank you all very much!!!
Dr. Graves and his staff at Myrtle Grove are amazing! I felt comfortable and at ease from the time I entered the doors at Myrtle Grove. I knew I was in good hands with Dr. Graves as he explained everything that he was going to do before the procedure, made sure I was comfortable in the massaging dental chairs, and he even put on Netflix for me as I awaited my wisdom teeth removal. I would recommend Myrtle Grove Implant and Family Dentistry to anyone in the area! I live near Myrtle Beach and it was definitely worth the hour and a half drive. You will be taken care of at Myrtle Grove!
Had 15 extractions yesterday and complete dentures put in with IV sedation. I have to say that Dr. Graves and his staff changed my life. I lost my dental insurance 4 years ago when I lost my job of 14 years with AT&T. In those 4 years, I couldn't afford dental care, and my teeth basically rotted. They have hurt everyday in those 4 years. I found another job and did my research on several dentists and chose Dr. Graves, and let's say I chose correctly. He called me the night I had my surgery (last night) to see how I was recovering. I told him not many people can claim that they had changed someone's life, but he and his staff certainly changed mine! Awesome work by Dr. Graves and his staff and The Best Dental Experience I've ever had!!