Parents always want to know what the best practices are for their children’s dental health in Bend. And one of the best providers in the city for all children’s oral health needs is Dr. Kelley Mingus. Dr. Mingus is an expert pediatric dentist who has come up with many proven practices to keep children’s teeth healthy. Here, we’ll discuss children’s dental health and some of the best practices for preventive care that Dr. Mingus recommends.
Children’s Dental Health and the Importance of Regular Checkups
Parents know it’s important to start dental health habits early to ensure children’s teeth stay healthy. This means that parents should start brushing and flossing their children’s teeth as soon as their teeth start coming in. It is also important to take kids for regular checkups at a qualified pediatric dentist. This allows the dentist to regularly review a patient’s oral health and look for any potential problems before they become serious.
Some of the more common oral health problems in children include cavities, gum disease, and fluoride deficiencies. These problems can be prevented or treated with regular dental checkups, which is why it’s important for parents to make appointments for their kids every six months. Regular checkups can also reveal early signs of abnormality in children’s bite, jaw size, and development, and can help parents take proactive steps benefiting their children’s oral health.
Best Practices for Children’s Oral Health
While professional cleanings and regular checkups are great for keeping a child’s smile healthy, parents need to remember that oral health care must take place at home, too. One of the most important things for parents to do each day is brush their children’s teeth, beginning as soon as the first tooth comes in. One of the best practices for children’s oral health is to brush twice a day, for at least two minutes each time. Using a toothbrush with soft bristles can help prevent damage to the gums and clean the teeth gently. Parents should also be sure to use toothpaste with fluoride, which can help prevent cavities.
Flossing is also an important practice for children’s oral health. Parents should ideally help children floss once a day, as it can help reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing helps to remove food and plaque from between the teeth and gums, which are areas that a toothbrush cannot reach. Parents should also be sure to use a child-friendly flosser that’s designed for smaller dental spaces, and children should start learning how to floss on their own as soon as they are able.
Additional Children’s Oral Health Practices
In addition to brushing and flossing, there are other things parents can do to help keep their kids’ mouths clean and healthy. Parents should limit the amount of sugary foods their children consume. This can help prevent cavities, which are caused by bacteria that feed on sugar. While it is OK for children to have some treats, it is important to monitor their sugar intake.
Children should also stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. This can help wash away food particles and keep the mouth healthier. Many cities, including Bend, Oregon, have municipal water supplies that have been treated with fluoride, which can also help decrease the risk of cavities.
Finally, it is important for parents to lead by example and practice good oral health habits themselves. When parents show their children how much they value healthy, beautiful smiles, their kids are more likely to follow suit.
Putting Dr. Mingus’ Tips into Practice
Dr. Mingus has been advocating for children’s oral health for over 20 years. With his team, Dr. Mingus is helping to keep children’s teeth healthy for life. In addition to regular checkups and cleanings, the practice offers emergency dental services as well as orthodontic services for children who need braces.
For parents who want to take their children’s dental health one step further, Dr. Mingus also specializes in children’s orthotropics. Orthotropics is an alternative to braces that aims to straighten the teeth and jaws naturally in a non-invasive way. This approach focuses on expanding the jaw to help straighten the teeth.
Whether parents are looking to start visiting a pediatric dentist regularly, readjust their oral health practices for their children, or begin orthotropic treatment, Dr. Mingus and his team are here to help. With over 20 years of experience in providing high-quality dental care to families in Bend, Dr. Mingus is a trusted source for children’s oral health.
In conclusion, dental health is an important part of every child’s overall well-being. Thankfully, there are several tried-and-true practices that can help parents keep their children’s teeth and gums healthy. Brushing and flossing twice a day, limiting sugary foods, drinking water, and being a good example are all practices that can help keep children’s dental health strong.
If you are looking for professional help to take your children’s smiles to the next level, Dr. Mingus and the team are here to help. Reach out today to make an appointment!