When it comes to oral health, you are quite aware that it’s a family affair. That’s why it’s so important for you to find a local professional who can provide the unique care that you need. You desire to work with an oral expert who has the expertise to care for you and your spouse, but you also wonder, “Is there a pediatric dentist who can help provide a firm foundation for my children’s oral health? As you continue reading that question will be answered, you’ll learn more about why it’s so important to instill the right dental habits in your kids and how your whole family can benefit from the right professional.

Is Oral Care for Kids as Important as for Adults?

The oral care of your children actually may be more important than that of adults because it is during the developmental years that their lifelong characteristics are being formed. Studies show that between the ages of zero and seven, children’s minds are the most impressionable, which means that if the proper habits and right type of oral care are seeded, they have a better chance of having less dental caries and tooth decay as they grow older.

Ways to Make Oral Hygiene Fun for Your Children

When it comes to laying a firm foundation for your children’s oral health, one of the keys is to teach oral hygiene early, which is just as important for their young teeth as for adults. Here are some ideas to make the experience more enjoyable for them:

• Brush and Floss Together – One way to encourage better oral hygiene habits for your children is to make brushing and flossing a family affair. Allow them to perform both tasks with you, which allows you to model the proper technique for them as well as make it a fun bonding event.
• Special Toothbrush – You can purchase a toothbrush with their favorite super hero-heroine to ignite excitement in them about going to brush their teeth.
• Track Time – Your oral hygiene session can be made fun by setting an alarm that sounds when the recommended time of two minutes of brushing has been reached. This will provide your kids with a sense of accomplishment.
• Special Toothpaste – For toddlers who are higher risks of swallowing toothpaste, you can use a non-fluoride version in a tasty flavor as you’re introducing the act of brushing to them. As your children get older you can then move to a fluoride option that still comes in more kid-friendly flavors. This will encourage them to continue practicing excellent oral hygiene.
• Dentist Visit Surprises – A final incentive you can use is to follow a dentist visit with a surprise trip to the park or some other place that your children love to attend. This will help them associate the dentist and clean teeth with a fun experience.

Other Advantages of a Family Dentist

Not only will your young children benefit from a comprehensive dentistry approach, but the rest of your family will as well. This is because improvements in your dental health translates into cavity prevention and protection from other oral maladies like gum disease and tooth loss. Therefore, a dentist that can meet the needs of the entire family not only saves you time but can also spare your pocket, because preventive care is the most cost-effective available.

So instead of driving all over town for different dental appointments, just bring the whole family to one office that can deliver the custom care that they all need, allowing the everyone to enjoy excellent oral health from ages zero to 99!

About the Author

Dr. Minh-Phuong Bui earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, followed by a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at South Cove Community Health Center in Boston. While there she treated an array of patients, including providing preventive care for kids to cosmetic procedures for young adults. She also offered supportive therapy for wheelchair-bound, medically compromised geriatric patients. Delivering care to a diverse population of patients, Dr. Bui practices at Southeastern Dental Care Family & Cosmetic Dentistry and can be reached for more information through her website.