When it comes to caring for your children’s teeth, one of the biggest concerns for most parents is their child’s sugar consumption. With holidays like Easter on the horizon, many children are likely to be exposed to an influx of sugary foods. While sugary foods can be enjoyed in moderation, it is important to limit the amount of sugar consumed by your child in order to prevent cavities. Although cavities are not going to appear overnight due to one or two chocolate bunnies, it is important to keep up good oral health care habits with your children in order to set them up for a lifetime of dental health success.

For many people, there is an assumption that because baby teeth are temporary they do not need to be cared for as closely as adult teeth. This is false. Not only does caring for the baby teeth help ensure that the adult teeth that come in are healthy and well aligned, starting dental care a young age can help instill healthy habits and preventive measures that will stick with your child far into their adult years. Things like regular dental cleanings, as well as topical fluoride treatment can help prepare and protect your children’s teeth. Your child should visit a dentist least twice a year to have their teeth cleaned by a trained dental hygienist in order to remove plaque and tartar buildup, as well as to check for any cavities. After all, the early treatment of smaller cavities can help prevent larger issues down the road.

You should make sure to teach your child the correct way to brush their teeth in order to make sure that they are thoroughly cleaning the surface of their teeth twice a day. Your child should have a small toothbrush with soft bristles in order to gently remove any buildup off of the surface without damaging the gumline. Teach your child to brush their teeth in a gentle, but firm manner in small circles, making sure to reach all areas of their teeth.  For younger children, it is a good idea to monitor their oral hygiene routine until they are old enough to fully care for their teeth themselves. Around the age of 6 or 7, teaching your child to floss can help prevent cavities and can also instill good oral hygiene habits down the road. Offering rewards for good oral hygiene habits can help your children take joy in preserving their oral health, and can help save you dentist bills in the long run.

While Easter baskets may pose a mild threat to your children’s balanced diet, as long as your children have a healthy history of dental hygiene care, one or two chocolate eggs will not put them at a higher risk for more cavities. However, including items like sugar-free gum in their goodie baskets may help reduce the amount of sugar buildup on their teeth after a sweet treat. Good oral hygiene starts at a young age, and as such it is important to teach your child how to take care of their teeth, as well as making sure that they visit their dentist on a regular basis to make sure that their teeth are “hoppy” for years to come.