In the time before your kids are old enough to brush and floss their own teeth, they will depend on you to protect them from cavities. At this point, you will have a direct responsibility for maintaining their oral health, though their dentist will also provide support. With that said, kids are typically capable of brushing and flossing on their own by about age six or seven. Will your child be ready at this point? Do they know what it will take to protect their oral health? At our St. Louis, MO dentist’s office, Dr. Johnson has experience guiding younger patients with their preventive care. Through regular pediatric dental exams and your support at home, you can give your child the support they need to develop positive oral health habits!
Start Dental Visits At An Early Age
Your child should have an initial dental appointment shortly after their first tooth arrives. During this initial appointment, known as a “well baby exam,” Dr. Johnson can make sure your child feels comfortable in our office, and that they are afforded a chance to feel safe with us. Positive early experiences can make them more comfortable with future visits, and it can make them more receptive to information about preventive dental care. Once they are old enough, we can start providing your child with services that are more in line with traditional dental exams.
Model Good Habits For Them To Follow
In addition to helping your child by cleaning their teeth, show them what you do to take care of your own smile. By modeling good habits, you can help them understand what they should be doing to protect themselves against plaque and calculus buildup. This modeling can be especially helpful when they are first learning to practice these tasks for themselves. One thing you can do is take time to clean your teeth together, so they can watch you, and imitate what you do.
Make Sure They Understand Why They Need To Protect Their Teeth
While kids can understand that brushing and flossing is expected of them, they may lack information on why these tasks matter. When they understand that dental problems can be painful, and that they require restorative dental work to be addressed, it can be easier for them to see why you want them to take smile care seriously. Dr. Johnson provides information along with guidance on smile care. By doing the same at home, you can reinforce the value of healthy teeth!
Magnolia Family Dental Helps Families In And Around St. Louis, MO With Their Oral Hygiene Needs
Magnolia Family Dental is ready to help patients of all ages stay on top of their oral health needs. We can make sure everyone in your family has support against plaque and calculus buildup, and we can make sure your kids develop clear ideas about why smile care matters. To find out more about our services, or to schedule an appointment, please contact our St. Louis, MO dentist’s office at 314-822-4521.
