As a parent, you want your child to be happy and healthy, and that includes taking care of their teeth. Even as a baby, dental care is necessary to ensure proper oral healthcare in the future. Follow the dentist-approved tips below to ensure your little one has a beautiful smile.

How to Protect Your Child’s Oral Health

1. See a Children's Dentist

Kids' dentists have the tools and techniques needed to make little ones feel at ease, like smaller sized oral hygiene tools and better “bedside manner.” You can also ask them about additional preventative health measures, like sealant, a special coating applied to your child's teeth that protects against cavities. A dentist can also provide fluoride treatments, which strengthen the enamel—the hard, protective covering of the teeth—and further stave off cavities.

2. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Kids lack the skill to clean their teeth. Help them brush twice per day, once in the morning and once at night, until you are confident they can handle the job themselves—usually around age ten. You can start flossing kids' teeth as soon as they have two adjoining teeth. Get them excited about this healthy habit with the help of apps like Toothsavers, which turns the routine task into a game.

3. Promote Good Dietary Habits

Even with good oral hygiene habits and preventative dental care, your child shouldn’t consume food or drinks that will harm their teeth. Sodas and fruit juices tend to be high in sugar, which attracts cavity-causing bacteria, as well as acid, which wears down enamel. Make sure your kids don't bite down on hard items like ice or lollipops, which can chip enamel.

Trust Wheeler Family Dental of Chesterfield, MO, to take care of your child's teeth. These professionals provide affordable cosmetic and general dentistry care for the entire family. Whether you want teeth whitening yourself or a cleaning for your child, they have you covered. Their friendly team offers a relaxed environment where you and your loved ones will feel at ease. Visit their website for a list of services or call (314) 576-3737 to schedule an appointment with one of their dentists today.