Apparently, I am still busy and because of that, here is another guest post about caring for your little one’s teeth.
Teaching children to care for their teeth should start early. It may be tempting to just let your child not brush or floss. Don’t give in! Those baby teeth are very important. While they are not permanent, they act as guides for adult teeth. They also allow kids to learn to talk and eat normally. Learn how to get healthy teeth for children with these tips.
The Early Years
Good dental care for children should start early. Babies who don’t yet have teeth can benefit from using infant gum wipes daily. Do not share saliva by using your mouth on baby’s cups or pacifiers. Adult saliva contains tooth rotting bacteria. 
Start brushing with fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth appears. Childhood dental problems are at an all time high. By kindergarten over half of kids will have cavities. By using just a smear of toothpaste you can prevent early decay. By age three use up to a pea size lump of toothpaste daily.
Dental health for kids doesn’t just mean good brushing habits. If you are not using fluoridated water you will need to supplement. At risk kids benefit greatly from a daily kid’s vitamin that has a trace of fluoride. This essential mineral helps to put strength back into tooth enamel to prevent decay.
Healthy Habits for Life
Young children and babies often have different problems than older kids. Young children’s common teeth problems often come from their habit of chewing on things or thumb-sucking. Knowing when to encourage kids to stop these habits is important.
Babies often gnaw on things to relieve pain in the gums. They are getting their very first teeth. As the tooth cuts through the gum it can be quite painful. Babies should be allowed to chew and gnaw upon some things. Chilled teething dummies or teething rings can offer a lot of relief. A chilled washcloth can also be given. Never freeze a dummy. A frozen item could cut the gums.
As children grow many turn to soothing thumb-sucking. This is fine for small children. A child’s mouth will not be damaged. But as the child grows, he or she should be discouraged. Extended thumb-sucking can alter how adult teeth come in.
Use Proper Brushing Techniques
Children don’t always brush their teeth correctly the first time. Many kids just brush hard in a back and forth way. This can damage their teeth. It also doesn’t clean their mouth very well. 
Use a soft child’s toothbrush that is gentle on tender gums. Teach to angle the brush up slightly. They should rub gently in tiny circles. This cleans the entire tooth. Children should also learn to gently brush their gums and tongue. This habit helps keep the entire mouth cleaner and fresher.
Visit Your Dentist
Children who grow up with regular dental care are more likely to have a healthy mouth. Good dental health for children is ensured by seeing your dentist twice yearly for cleaning and a general check up. Small children might not be able to tell you that their mouth hurts. But a dentist will be able to quickly spot any problems.
Little children may not want to brush and floss. Many may not want to stop thumb-sucking either. But a good parent will figure out how to best teach their kids just how important good care is. Having the right upbringing in dental hygiene for kids has great life long implications. Not only will your kid have a bright white smile, your child will be healthier overall. Healthy people have good dental health regimes. Those habits start with you.
About the Writer
This post is written by Sally is a working woman and a mother of 2 kids (currently 10 and 8), living in a suburb of Brisbane. As mom, she learn so much about providing healthier and happier lifestyle for her kids. You can find more of her articles being featured on www.mouthsofmums.com.au.
Images provided by Sally.