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10 Ways to Teach Your Child Good Oral Health Habits

Teach Your Child Good Oral Health Habits Brigham City UT

As a parent, you strive to help your children learn good habits and give them the tools they need to live happy, healthy lives. One crucial aspect of their well-being is their oral hygiene. Establishing good oral health habits early sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Keep reading to discover 10 practical tips to help you teach your child good oral health habits.

#1. Lead by Example

Children are excellent imitators, and they learn many behaviors by observing their parents. Therefore, one of the best ways you can teach your child good oral health habits is by making brushing and flossing a family affair. When your child sees that you prioritize dental care, they will be more likely to recognize that it’s an essential part of their daily routine.

#2. Start Early

Good oral health habits should start as soon as your child’s first tooth comes in, usually when they’re about six months old. Use a soft infant toothbrush to gently clean their teeth and gums, and as more teeth come in, you can use a tiny amount of toothpaste. Taking care of oral hygiene early on sets your child up for lifelong health.

bad breath Teach Your Child Good Oral Health Habits Brigham City UT

#3. Make It Fun

Oral care doesn’t have to be a chore! Turn it into a fun activity for your child by choosing colorful toothbrushes and flavored toothpaste. You can also play their favorite song or set a timer to help them brush for the full two minutes. Some toothbrushes even come with a built-in timer or music to make brushing a fun game for children.

#4. Teach Proper Technique

For oral care to be effective, proper techniques are essential. Show your child the right way to brush — use gentle, circular motions and make sure you pay attention to all surfaces of the teeth. As your child gets older, encourage them to brush on their own, but supervise them to make sure they’re doing it correctly.

As soon as your child has enough teeth, demonstrate the correct flossing technique. Let them try flossing with assistance, then as they grow, they can floss independently.

#5. Set a Routine

When developing good oral health habits, consistency is key. Establish a regular oral health routine with your child that includes brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day. Try to keep the timing consistent — for example, you might have them brush their teeth every day after breakfast and before bed. A regular routine will help your child build good oral health habits that last.

#6. Choose Nutritious Foods

Diet has a significant impact on oral health. Try to limit your family’s consumption of sugary snacks and drinks, which can contribute to tooth decay. Instead, encourage your child to eat a balanced diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, along with calcium-rich dairy products. Drinking plenty of water can also help wash away plaque and food particles from the surface of the teeth.

reduce your childs sugar intake Brigham City UT Teach Your Child Good Oral Health Habits Brigham City UT

#7. Water Over Sugary Drinks

Teach your child to choose water over sugary soda or fruit juice. Water isn’t just essential for overall health; it also dilutes acids in the mouth and washes away bacteria and debris. If your child does have sugary drinks, encourage them to brush their teeth afterward to remove harmful substances. Drinking with a straw can also limit the amount of contact sugary drinks have with the surface of the teeth.

#8. Regular Dental Check-Ups

Don’t wait until there’s a problem to bring your child to the dentist. Starting around their first birthday, schedule check-ups with the dentist every six months. Regular exams allow the dentist to monitor their oral development, provide preventative care, and catch potential issues early on.

#9. Positive Reinforcement

Praise and positive reinforcement can provide motivation for your child to develop good oral health habits. Offer words of encouragement, small rewards, or stickers to get them excited about taking care of their teeth. Make visits to the dentist’s office a positive experience by focusing on the fun aspects, such as getting a new toothbrush or picking a prize at the end of their appointment. 

#10. Be Patient and Persistent

It will take patience and persistence to teach your child good oral health habits. There may be times when your child refuses to brush or floss, but don’t give up. Continue to emphasize the importance of oral hygiene, and eventually, it will become second nature to them.

Make Jenson Dental Part of Your Good Oral Health Habits

Ensure the longevity of your child’s oral health by bringing them to Jenson Dental for regular exams and cleanings. Our team members are experts in pediatric dentistry and do everything they can to make children feel comfortable and safe in our office. Schedule an appointment today!

Everything You Need to Know About Tongue Ties

You’ve probably heard the phrase “tongue-tied” to describe someone who doesn’t know what to say; however, you might not know that a tongue tie is a common condition affecting individuals of all ages, from infants to adults. If you want to know more about tongue ties, keep reading to explore what they are, their impact on oral health, and potential treatment options.

What is a Tongue Tie? 

Tongue ties, also known as ankyloglossia, occur when the frenulum — the thin piece of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth — is too short or tight. This restricts the tongue’s mobility, affecting various oral functions. Sometimes, tongue ties are apparent from birth, but in other cases, they may only become noticeable as a child grows or reaches adulthood. 

Impact on Oral Health

Everything You Need to Know About Tongue Ties

Tongue ties may not seem like a big deal, but they can negatively impact oral health in many different ways, including:

  • Feeding difficulties: In infants, a severe tongue tie can limit the tongue’s movement and affect their ability to latch and suck while breastfeeding or bottle feeding. 
  • Speech issues: As children grow, a tongue tie can contribute to speech difficulties, especially with sounds that require a free-moving tongue.
  • Dental health: Tongue ties can make it difficult to effectively clean the teeth and cums, leading to poor oral hygiene. This, in turn, can increase the risk of many different dental health problems, including cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
  • Oral comfort: If the tongue is restricted, it can cause discomfort, pain, or even tension headaches, particularly when trying to perform actions that require tongue movement like licking an ice cream cone or playing a wind instrument.

Diagnosis and Treatment

To diagnose a tongue tie, a dentist or medical professional will perform a thorough examination. If the tongue tie is mild and does not cause any problems, it does not usually require treatment. Sometimes, the frenulum can even loosen on its own over time. 

If your dentist identifies a more severe tongue tie and suspects it is causing functional issues, there are a few different treatment options. The right option for each patient is determined by considering their age, symptoms, and severity of the tongue tie. Your dentist can discuss these options with you to help you make informed decisions about your oral health.

Treatments include:

  • Frenotomy (also known as a frenulotomy): This procedure is relatively simple and quick. It involves snipping the tight frenulum, releasing the tongue and allowing it to move freely. Pain, discomfort, and bleeding are minimal, so anesthesia is not needed. Frenotomies are often performed on infants, and the healing process is usually swift.
  • Frenuloplasty: If the tongue tie is more significant, or if the condition continues to cause problems into adulthood, a more complicated surgical procedure called a frenuloplasty may be recommended. This procedure is often done under local anesthesia. The surgeon cuts through the frenulum and then closes the wound with sutures. Complications are rare, and the sutures are absorbed into the body, so you don’t have to worry about getting them removed.
  • Oral exercises: For patients with mild tongue ties, certain oral exercises can help improve tongue mobility and minimize discomfort. These exercises can also help patients as they recover from a frenuloplasty.
Everything You Need to Know About Tongue Ties

Recovery and Follow-up

Frenotomies require little to no recovery time, and infants who undergo the procedure can usually resume nursing right away. Recovery following a frenuloplasty is also quick, but it can be a bit more involved. Patients may be advised by their dentist or surgeon to perform specific exercises to enhance their tongue’s range of movement. Additionally, attending regular follow-up appointments with the dentist or other healthcare provider is crucial to ensure proper healing and address any concerns as they recover.

Improve Your Oral Health With Jenson Dental

Addressing tongue ties, especially early in life, can have a positive impact on oral health, overall comfort, and quality of life. If you suspect you or your child might have a tongue tie, it’s important to seek professional guidance. At Jenson Dental, our experienced team can provide comprehensive evaluations to determine the best course of action and provide treatment options tailored to fit your unique needs. 

Don’t let a tongue tie hold you back from enjoying a healthy life and showing the world a vibrant smile. Schedule an appointment with us today to take the first step toward optimizing every aspect of your oral health.

Sugar is notorious for being delicious yet harmful to your health. Sugar is an additive to all sorts of foods and is also found naturally in others, making it difficult to avoid. If you are looking for ways to reduce your child’s sugar intake, then consider continuing reading for tips that will not only help decrease sugar in your child’s diet, but may help you decrease sugar in your own diet.

And while some sugar is okay, as a parent, you are likely aware of the health and dental problems that sugar can cause your child. Cutting out some sugar will help your child have more energy and will decrease the likelihood of your child becoming overweight or developing tooth decay.

reduce your child's sugar intake

Limit Sugary Snacks

Your children eat based on what you give them. While it may be easier sometimes to give the kids a sugary snack, the best way to protect your child from tooth problems is to replace fruit snacks, Pop Tarts, and pudding packs with other snacks that will give your child better fuel and taste good as well. It may also be a good idea to have a certain limit on sugary desserts for your children as well as for yourself. When it comes to a limit, do your research on what is recommended, and make a personal assessment as to what you want for your child.

Eat Out Less

Another way to reduce your child’s sugar intake is to eat out less. When you choose to eat at home, you get to see exactly what is going into a meal, meaning that you can make decisions about how much sugar gets into your and your children’s food. Cooking your own food also means that you will likely be using fresher ingredients, especially if you are cooking your own food over going to a fast food restaurant.

Eliminate Sodas And Other Sugary Drinks

Sodas are infamously known for having a ton of sugar. Drinking soda, energy drinks, and sugary teas and coffees put your body and your teeth through the ringer. The best way to avoid dental health issues is to eliminate drinking soda entirely. However, if never drinking soda sounds like a death sentence, then try to switch to less sugary options or drink soda less often.

Reduce Sauces And Flavorings

Ketchup, barbecue sauce, syrup, and flavor packets that are added to food often are chock full of sugar. It can be hard to completely remove sauces from your child’s diet, as they add so much to food and can make it easier to eat less enjoyable foods, such as vegetables. But it may be a good idea to consider choosing sauce options that have less added sugar or make your own options for flavorings and sauces.

Buy Unprocessed Foods

Our last tip to help reduce your child’s sugar intake is to bring less processed foods into your home. This tip goes along with limiting eating out. Processed foods often have a lot of added sugars. If you choose to bring foods into your home that are less processed, then you will drastically reduce the amount of sugar your family consumes.

Need More Tips To Help Reduce Your Child’s Sugar Intake

We at Jenson Dental are big fans of helping our customers get the brightest and healthiest smiles possible. That is why we do our best to offer resources to help you keep your teeth in tip-top shape. We employ several experienced and knowledgeable individuals who can give you more information about how to reduce your child’s sugar intake and how to improve your oral health. Reach out to us for more information or to schedule an appointment.

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117 W Forest St,
Brigham City, UT 84302
Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

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