4 Tips for Caring for Your Child's Teeth

Little hands don’t always like to brush little teeth. Dr. Ian Gray and staff happily provide you with tips on how to care for your young one’s teeth—even if they don’t want to. 

Start early
As with any good habit, instilling it early and with consistency is the best way to be sure that your child practices good oral hygiene. Teaching them when to brush, how long to brush and how much toothpaste to use, is very important. They may not be wise enough to know what this will do for their overall health in the long run, but you are, and if they see that this is something that mommy and daddy not only approve of, but celebrate, little minds will associate brushing their teeth with a positive outcome. 

Make it a routine
One way to be sure that they don’t see it as a cumbersome chore is to make it fun. Have them brush until you count to a certain number or finish their favorite song or nursery rhyme. Reward them for a job well done. Similar to the famous “potty chart,” you can give them a star for each time they brush their teeth. Let the sticker - itself be a reward or perhaps take them to get a new toy when they’ve filled up their chart. Your Newmarket family dentist wants your child to develop good habits from the start so they’ll always have a beautiful smile. 

Stave off a sweet tooth
It’s well-known that sugar and tooth decay are partners in crime, so be sure your child is eating a balanced diet of fruits, veggies, grains and proteins, limiting the amount of starches and sugars they eat. When sugar remains in the mouth, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. And while they may just be their baby teeth, those little guys are the foundation for adult teeth and proper care for baby teeth is absolutely essential. 

Stop on by
Just as you should see your dentist every six months, so should your children. From the time they cut their first tooth, on, you should be bringing your child into Dr. Ian Gray twice a year, unless we request more frequent visits. 

Caring for your child’s chompers is just as important as caring for your own. Be sure they get a good, healthy start to regular oral care by visiting your Newmarket dental office, Dr. Ian Gray, today.