How To Keep Your Kids’ Teeth Healthy When They Can’t See The Dentist

Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, many children's dentists and general dentists in America have stopped seeing patients for routine dental care, and are only offering emergency dental care. 

At Green Leaf Dental Care, our  i doing their part to help stop the spread, which means we’re not seeing regular patients, and will only see your little one if they have a dental emergency. But what should you do to keep your child’s teeth healthy and strong until they can come back to see Dr. Yoni or Dr. Bean? Get our top tips below. 

1. Ensure That Their Teeth And/Or Gums Are Brushed At Least Twice Per Day

Most kids are coordinated enough to brush their own teeth properly at around the age of 5-6, or whenever they can tie their shoes on their own. 

If your child is brushing on their own, make sure you supervise them to make sure they brush twice a day for two minutes, and clean their teeth properly. It’s best to brush once in the morning after breakfast, and once at night before bed.

If you’re still brushing your child’s teeth for them, use proper technique and clean every surface of their teeth. Make sure to brush their gums, too, and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to ensure they are comfortable while you brush their teeth.

2. Floss Your Child’s Teeth Once Per Day

Kids usually can’t floss on their own until about the age of 10, since it’s quite a bit harder to learn how to floss than it is to brush. But flossing is important for kids of all ages. Brushing alone cleans only about 60% of the surfaces of your child’s teeth. Flossing is key for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.

If you’re having trouble flossing your child’s teeth properly, this video guide is a helpful way to learn more about proper technique.

3. Make Sure Your Child Eats A Tooth-Healthy Diet 

As a rule, you should try to avoid feeding your child a lot of sugary foods like fruit snacks and candy, as well as beverages like soda or juice. Starchy snacks like potato chips and other highly processed foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugar are also not good for your child’s teeth. The bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease love to eat sugar and starch. 

Your child should eat a healthy diet including lean meat, dairy products like milk and yogurt, whole grains, and fresh fruit and vegetables. This is better for their oral health, and these types of nutritious foods are also better for their growing bodies.

Keep Your Child’s Mouth Healthy With These Tips!

As long as your child’s mouth is being brushed and flossed properly and they’re eating a healthy, tooth-friendly diet, they’re unlikely to have issues like cavities or gum disease.

So if you can’t see a dentist, make sure you follow these tips to keep your child’s smile healthy. And when dental offices like Green Leaf Dental open up again, make sure you schedule an appointment with Dr. Yoni or Dr. Bean to get your child the preventive care they need.