As a young mother, I was reasonably ignorant when raising my firstborn. My biggest regret is that I didn't help her take better care of her teeth. Like many people, I didn't realise the importance of baby teeth, resulting in long-term dental problems. Recently, my daughter got married and some of my tears were for the beautiful, glistening smile she presented to the cameras. Ever since I realised the dental damage I had caused, I had been saving for my daughter to have cosmetic dentistry. The results are remarkable. During the course of this journey, I have learnt a lot about caring for children's teeth and corrective procedures that can be undertaken when issues arise. I am sure many of you would be interested in the latest knowledge and techniques that are available to prevent and repair dental complications. I'm Margret Devlin - thanks for visiting.
The repeated lockdowns over the past couple of years have meant that not many kids are getting to see the dentist when they need it. That might not seem like a loss from a child's perspective, but as their parent, you know that the lack of care can worsen dental health if you and the child aren't careful. Dentists have taken great care to follow COVID-19 safety protocols and make going to the dentist as safe as possible, but that doesn't help when you find your section of town has been locked down again. If you're trying to get your child in to see the dentist but think it may be a while, make a few adjustments to help keep your child's teeth and gums healthy.
Make Them Floss
If they are old enough, make sure they floss. Flossing is one of those tasks that no one really likes to do, and if adults are tempted to skip it, kids will avoid it, too. But now, you really need to make sure your child is flossing. For younger children, help them do it; for older kids, keep reminding them to do it. Obviously, there's only so much you can do personally – your teen would be alarmed if you sat at the sink, watching them – but do what you can. Flossing removes old food bits that can create problems for both teeth and gums.
Shift Towards Cavity-Fighting Foods
Comfort eating is understandable, but if you've found your child's daily diet has not been the best, it's time to revamp it. Reduce sugary, sticky foods like candy or foods that tend to leave bits behind on your teeth, like crisps and crackers, for example. Candy, of course, can contribute to bacterial growth that leads to cavities. Gradually replace them with more tooth-friendly foods like cheese, carrots, and apples. These foods tend to not leave so much behind and can even help reduce the presence of bacteria.
Don't Be Afraid To Call Once You See Something
You can still seek medical and dental help during a lockdown, so do not be afraid to make an appointment for your child if you notice something about their teeth that needs attention. There's a tendency to wait for when lockdowns are over, which is understandable, but if you wait, whatever you saw could be worse by the time you do make an appointment. It is much easier to take care of problems when you first notice them instead of letting them get worse and requiring more work to fix.
For more information, contact a dental office in your area, such as Geelong Dental Group.
Share2 November 2021
