{"id":523,"date":"2021-02-08T05:46:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-08T05:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentistelreno.com\/blog\/?p=523"},"modified":"2021-01-22T20:24:38","modified_gmt":"2021-01-22T20:24:38","slug":"what-every-parent-needs-to-know-about-taking-care-of-their-childs-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentistelreno.com\/blog\/what-every-parent-needs-to-know-about-taking-care-of-their-childs-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"What Every Parent Needs to Know About Taking Care of Their Child\u2019s Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When most people think about February, images of hearts, chocolates, and romance probably come to mind thanks to Valentine\u2019s Day. But, did you know that February is also National Children\u2019s Dental Health Month? This is a time when dentists, teachers, and parents all come together to raise awareness of the importance of pediatric dental care. In this spirit, here are the 5 most essential things to remember when it comes to your children\u2019s dental health in El Reno.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Forget the Baby Teeth!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many parents believe that they don\u2019t need to stress about their child\u2019s oral health until their adult teeth start coming in, because why put effort into cleaning the baby teeth when they are just going to fall out anyway? Unfortunately, this perspective can lead to all sorts of problems. The baby teeth not only help children learn how to speak and eat properly, but they also play a vital role in enabling the adult teeth to come in straight. If the baby teeth develop cavities and other issues, this can lead to much bigger problems down the line, even after they are gone. This is why brushing is so important the moment your child\u2019s teeth start appearing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oral Care Starts Before the Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For infants, it is important that their gums be cleaned after every feeding and snack so their mouths stay healthy. Milk and formula contain sugar, and this sugar can potentially feed oral bacteria that can lead to infections (as well as one cranky baby). Even before a child has teeth, a parent should gently wipe their mouth using their finger and a damp washcloth, being sure to get the gums, cheeks, and tongue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Get Your Child to Brush & Floss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some children fall into the routine of brushing and flossing very easily, and for others, it\u2019s a struggle. Rather than nagging your child every day and turning oral hygiene into a point of contention in your house, there are a few positive ways to encourage them to take care of their teeth. The first is to simply brush and floss along with them. This sets a good example, and young children naturally want to copy their parents. Another method is to set up a reward system, where if your child brushes every day for a week or a month, they get a little reward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know Brushing Basics  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do you remember being taught how to brush and floss? Here are a few details to teach your child that you might need to be refreshed on as well:<\/p>\n\n\n\n