Having excellent dental products to use makes it fun and more effective for children to take care of their oral health. Here is a list of a few of our favorite dental products for 2020 for kids.
Your child’s oral health is very important to their overall health. Childhood tooth decay is the number one chronic childhood illness. Childhood tooth decay can result in more than just a cavity or two. If left untreated, it can cause malnourishment, bacterial infections, and impediments to eating, speaking, and learning. You can help encourage and educate your children about the importance of these daily oral habits, and also make it inspiring for them to learn to keep up with them on their own.
February is Children’s Dental Health Month, so it’s a great time to focus on your kids oral health. These 2020 dental products for children may help:
Electric Toothbrush for Children
Philips Sonicare has created an electric toothbrush just for kids. This is an engaging, interactive toothbrush that is Bluetooth-enabled in order to interact with their special app. The app teaches them proper brushing technique and even tracks their performance. The brushing coach on the app challenges them to brush their teeth for longer periods of time and offers rewards for their progress. 98% say it’s easier to get kids brush longer and better*!
Oral B also carries electric toothbrushes in several different styles and character designs that may be attractive for your kids. It has a special pressure sensor that lets kids know if they are applying too much pressure while brushing.
Kids Flossers
Dentek has special flossers for kids. GUM Crayola Fluoride-Coated flossers are another great option! They can keep a pack with them in their school bag and use after snacks and meals while away from home. You can show your child how to use them to get between each of their teeth, including their back teeth, throw away the flosser, rinse out their mouth and then wash their hands each time.
Kids Toothpaste
Look for any toothpaste that is ADA approved for kids. There are so many different flavors of toothpaste for kids. Several brands have chosen to connect with kids by highlighting their favorite princess or Star Wars characters on their label. The best way to get kids involved is by letting them pick their own toothpaste. Look for toothpaste with fluoride, and remind them of the benefits of drinking water from the tap, which also contains fluoride.
Healthy Snacks for Kids
You may not think of healthy snacks as “dental products,” but they have significant impact on your child’s oral health. It’s best for your child to eat a couple intentional snacks each day rather than grazing on food and sugary drinks throughout the day. They should minimize eating candy or sugary snacks that stick to your teeth.
Some snacks you can encourage include:
- Fruit – berries, sliced apples, mangoes, peaches
- Vegetables – carrot sticks, snap peas, cut up cucumber or celery
- Drinks – water
- Crackers with cheese or hummus
Give your kids a few options from this list, and let them join you at the grocery store to pick their favorites.
Schedule a Visit For Your Child
We love to see children in our office. They brighten our day each time they walk through the doors. We encourage young toddlers to come in to see us for the first time around 2 ½ – 3 years of age for a “Look Happy” visit. It is a casual visit, just checking on their oral health and making sure there is nothing to be concerned about. Then, we like to continue to schedule regular visits every 6 months after that.
As a parent, you are the biggest influence in your child’s life around oral health. You can set an example and have them join you for your own visits. You can brush your teeth together and show them how to do it properly. And you can pursue healthy habits together, setting them up for a lifetime of health.
Let us know how we can help.