As the New Year starts we here at Strathcona Dental Works are focused on getting your kids teeth looking their best for the year ahead. Most importantly you can start your child on a path to good oral habits long before they can speak and before their first tooth comes in with some simple tips. For example, soon after they’re born, wrap a soft damp cloth around your finger and gently wipe their gums twice a day. By the same token wiping their gums is also an effective way to prevent bacteria buildup. Keep reading to find out more tips for taking care of your kids teeth and keeping them healthy.

Taking care of your kids teeth

Follow the guidelines below to help your child get a great start to oral health this year:

• First, provide healthy beverages in the early stages of your child’s years. Fill bottles only with breast milk or formula. Fruit juice, sugar water and soft drinks have no nutritional benefits and can lead to gum and tooth decay.
• Second, to avoid bottle tooth decay never allow your baby or toddler to sleep with a bottle of breast milk or formula in their mouth. The milk sugars linger in their mouth causing an overabundance of harmful bacteria.
• Not to mention, dipping pacifiers in sugar or honey is harmful to their gums and teeth. Not only is honey bad for their gums, it can cause a severe allergic reaction in children under 12 months old.
• Uniquely  promote drinking water from a cup. Drinking water has numerous benefits for teeth and gums, and is also a great substitute for sugar-filled beverages such as juices and soda which damage teeth.
• Furthermore, begin brushing right away. Get your child familiar with a toothbrush early on. You can begin gentle brushing with an infant toothbrush once the first tooth comes in. Contact a family dentist if you’re unsure of the proper technique.
• Additionally, use fluoride toothpaste. As more teeth come in, start using a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when brushing their teeth. Brush twice a day and make sure they don’t swallow the toothpaste. If you’re unsure of which products are right for your child or family, one of our dentists will gladly provide assistance.
• Supervise older kids. At six or seven years old they’re usually ready to brush their own teeth using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Supervise your child to ensure it’s done properly and make sure they don’t swallow the toothpaste.

Finding a family dentist in Calgary

At Strathcona Dental Works, we offer full family dental services and pride ourselves on our paediatric dental care. If you need a dentist in Calgary contact us today book an appointment. Our dentists would love to meet your family today. We’re conveniently located in the Strathcona Square Shopping Centre in Calgary Southwest.