It is that time of the year again! We know that ‘Back to School’ time can be a bit stressful for parents so here are a few tips from us to make your child's oral health routine a little easier.
- Brush your child’s teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. It is the most important thing you can do to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Be sure to use soft bristles!
- Use a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride keeps teeth strong and helps prevent decay.
- Encourage your child to spit after brushing but don’t rinse! This ensures the fluoride in the toothpaste remains on the teeth.
- Reduce sugary snacks, it is not just the amount of sugar you consume in sugary foods and drinks which causes decay, it is also how often you have them.
- Stay fizz-free – Even sugar-free fizzy drinks can damage the teeth as they are acidic and can cause tooth erosion. Plain water and milk are the best drinks when your child is thirsty.
- Make sure your child has a mouthguard to use when playing sport. This will help protect against chipped or cracked teeth or even a tooth getting knocked out.
- Make sure to visit your dental team regularly, they will advise you about how to look after your child’s teeth and will spot any issues early on.