As
a parent, you want to keep your child safe -- which is no small task!
The good news is that there is a lot you can do to protect your child's
mouth, teeth and gums from harm.
Infants and Toddlers
Little ones fall a lot as
they learn to navigate their way in the world, putting them at risk for
a broken tooth or a cut or bitten tongue, lip or cheek. To guard your
child's dental safety:
- Child-proof your home.
Do not let your child walk around carrying a bottle or sippy cup;
unsteady walkers could injure their teeth or gums during a fall.
- Keep any mouthwash (and
all other fluids) out of the reach of children. The alcohol content in
most mouthwashes can be toxic to small children.
- Pick an age-appropriate
toothbrush that is the right size for your child's mouth. Do not share
your child's toothbrush with anyone else.
School Age Kids
Accidents from sports and
outdoor activities such as skateboarding are common for this age group,
as are cavities. To keep your child's dental safety in check:
- Make sure your child wears a mouthguard while playing sports.
- Consider dental sealants for added protection against dental cavities.
- Don't yank loose baby
teeth. If a tooth is extremely loose, use a clean damp gauze pad to
firmly tug on the tooth. If it doesn't come out right away, leave it
alone.
Teens
Good nutrition and oral
hygiene tend to fall by the wayside during the teen years To safeguard
your teen's dental safety, talk to your child about the need to:
- Use caution with teeth
whitening products. Before using any over-the-counter dental products,
talk to your dentist to see if whiteners are appropriate for your teen.
- Cut back on soda. The
sugar in soda can cause dental cavities and the phosphoric acid blocks
the absorption of calcium, weakening teeth.
Remember, the most
effective ways to protect your children’s dental health is to make sure
they brush and floss regularly and see a dentist twice a year.
