After taking my kids to the dentist most recently, I always have questions when it comes to the health of their teeth. I found this article in Parenting magazine, August 2010 issue that may give any mom some insight on how to do it all right :)
Smile!
Now that your kid has some permanent teeth, you really want to get serious about caring for them. Deborah Steden-Pavlovich, DMD, chair of pediatric dentistry at the University of Pittsburgh, tells how you can keep tooth decay at bay.
Spin It: Get her a battery-operated spin brush for more effective plaque-and bacteria-removing motion (a cheap model is just fine).
Brush to the Beat: Have your kid scrub along to her favorite song to get her to hang in there for the recommended two minutes.
Finish Up: If you child is younger than 8, do a final sweep with the brush after she's done to hit all the nooks and crannies--and especially the back molars.
Floss: Give your child a batch of colorful plastic flossers to encourage her to clean between her teeth. Even if she does only a few teeth a night it will help.
Say Cheese And Eat Some Too: The protein in it--casein--helps prevent tooth decay, so pass the cheese sticks. Another tasty idea: lollipops with xylitol, a natural sweetener that prevents plaque buildup. Try Dr. John's Candies ($8.50 a pound: drjohns.com).
Be Snack Savvy: It's not just sugary foods you have to watch out for. Any starchy or processed high-carb food can get stuck in the crevices of teeth. Some surprising offenders: potato chips, whole-wheat bread, crackers, and cereal bars. Follow with a glass of water to rinse them out.
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