PARENTS CAN DO a few different things to give their kids' smiles a healthy start.
Find a Toothbrush They Like, and That's Effective
The toothbrush should have polished, soft bristles and be the right size for their mouths and hands, but otherwise, they might like one with their favorite cartoon character on it. You'll want to make sure to replace it when the bristles fray!
Use Sealants to Prevent Cavities
Sealants are recommended by The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends sealants, particularly for kids with a history of tooth decay already. Sealants greatly reduce the risk of childhood tooth decay.
Provide Teeth-Friendly Snacks Like Fruit and Cheese
Cheese is a good source of calcium and stimulates saliva production. (We need saliva for neutralizing harmful acids and clearing away food debris.) Sliced or whole fruit is a great mouth-healthy snack because the fibers help scrub the teeth clean.
Manage Expectations for Whitening Toothpaste
As much as we would all love to have pearly-white teeth, make sure the teens know that whitening toothpaste only contains abrasives and polishing agents to remove surface stains, not white spots or deeper stains.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.