New Year’s Resolutions for Your Kid’s Better Oral Health

December 28, 2021
Maestri Family Dental

New Year’s Day is the time of year to celebrate new beginnings and for kids to learn about making resolutions. This is also the opportunity for you to instill good oral health as a resolution that is easily attainable.

Improving your kid’s oral care early on will benefit them for years to come. This can be a fun and exciting time of growth for your kid.

Proper oral health care helps to keep bacteria under control and can prevent serious diseases or infections later in life. During the holiday season when children are on a break from school, it is normal for them to become inconsistent with their oral care routine. The key is to get kids back on track as soon as possible.

New Year’s Oral Care Resolutions for Kids

Oral health routine

Developing a good oral routine such as brushing twice a day and flossing once, are habits that will have a positive impact on your kid’s oral health. Having your kid use a kitchen timer they set themselves which eventually upgrades to an alarm as they get older, will let them feel like they are in charge. This can help motivate them to stick to their oral health care routine.

Healthy eating habits

Maintaining a well-balanced diet with proper nutrients can impact your kid’s oral and overall health. Eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, fiber, and proteins is one of the best defenses against gum disease and cavities. In addition, healthier foods are great for scraping away plaque while eating them. So, to avoid the temptation of unhealthy snacking between meals, stock up on snacks such as cheese sticks, yogurt, nuts, and fruits.

Dental appointments

It is important to establish a pediatric dental home in Lafayette, LA early on so that your kid can get into the habit of expecting dental check-ups and cleanings every six months. Scheduling regular dentist visits helps to ensure that your kid’s teeth, gums, and jaws are developing properly. The pediatric dentist can also catch any issues early on when they are easier to treat.

It only takes a few days away from any routine for kids to begin struggling with sticking to a habit. If this happens with their oral health care, it is essential to get them back on track as soon as possible. Prioritizing your kid’s smile and setting realistic resolutions or goals, can set the stage for a lifetime of good oral healthcare.

Tips to Improve Kid’s Oral Health

Drink water

A good rule of thumb is to drink water after every meal to wash away lingering food and plaque. This also encourages saliva production which helps to replace the minerals lost from the bacteria.

Mouthguard

If your kid performs any physical activity or plays sports, always make sure they wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth from injury. If your kid loses their primary teeth too early, it can lead to crowding and interfere with their speech.

Avoid harmful oral habits

Pacifier and thumb sucking are natural habits babies and toddlers do, and it is completely fine in the first years of life. However, these habits can cause an issue with the alignment of their teeth and jaw after the age of three.

It is never too late to start healthy habits at home with your kids. With a new year around the corner, now is a good time as ever. If you are looking for a dependable, understanding pediatric dentist in the Lafayette, LA area that can teach your kid good oral habits, contact Maestri Dental at 337-704-2126.

Dr. Gina Liggio Maestri and her friendly staff will make sure your kid is comfortable and has the tools they need to develop proper oral health care.

Call and schedule your children’s dental appointment today. Let Maestri Dental help to get your kid’s year off to a great start.