Teaching Healthy Habits Early On
Healthy habits begin in childhood. Children grow into health-conscious adults only if positive health choices are nurtured from a young age. At Smiles 4 Keeps (formerly Smiles 4 Keeps•FamilySmiles), we teach and encourage preventive care strategies to children of all ages to give them the tools they need to protect their health well into adulthood.
Oral Health is Connected to General Health
Preventative oral care focuses on the importance of cleaning the teeth, flossing, and maintaining overall good oral hygiene. However, this does more than just keep the mouth clean and prevent cavities. Of course, keeping the teeth strong is an important factor, but maintaining a clean mouth benefits overall health.
With proper dental care, we can avoid or lessen the effects of:
- Cavities
- Gingivitis
- Enamel loss
- Periodontitis
Poor oral health can lead to gum disease, which is linked to serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory disease. Of course, very few children may be affected by these problems right away, but education and prevention are of the utmost importance. By preventing gum disease early in life and teaching the necessary skills to avoid it in adulthood, we can raise a generation of health-oriented children.
While reducing the risk of other health issues later in life is essential, practicing good preventative health can also save a family tons of money in fillings, root canals, or dental implants.
Preventative Care Options
Our goal is to prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other oral conditions and detect them before they become a pressing issue. We accomplish this with a variety of diagnostic services, such as X-rays and screenings, but also by offering preventative services, such as sealants to protect the teeth. The most important aspect of preventative oral care is oral hygiene instruction and education, which must be practiced at home every day.
Encouraging Oral Preventive Care in Children
Preventative care in all forms begins at home. Do you know the expression “monkey see, monkey do”? Children tend to adopt the habits of their parents. The most crucial step in oral health is to encourage flossing and brushing at least twice a day. Most adults hate flossing (usually because they bleed due to gum disease), but that is a habit that you can instill in your children early on to help prevent any uncomfortable symptoms later in life.
Flossing cleans the tight spaces between the teeth and gum line, which are areas that are generally missed by toothbrushes. It can clean out the hard-to-reach food particles that can lead to tooth decay if left to sit.
Healthy Oral Habits to Practice
- Brush and floss at least twice daily
- Brush with a fluoride-based toothpaste
- Brush your tongue
- Replace your toothbrush 3-4 times a year
- Avoid excessive sugary drinks
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day
Visit Smiles 4 Keeps’s Dentists
Our dentistry team is trained to help adults and children of all ages feel happy and comfortable during their appointment. We make dentistry and oral health as fun as possible, so they grow up valuing their smile. We suggest seeing a pediatric dentist at least twice a year, especially in the early stages of development.
The American Dental Association recommends a child’s first dental visit should occur around 12 months old. The earlier we can detect and fix problems while encouraging healthy habits, the greater long-term health success your child will have!