At Lynn Valley Dental Group in North Vancouver, we believe that starting a child out with excellent oral hygiene habits will set them up for a lifetime of strong, healthy teeth. We understand how busy parenthood can be, but we encourage to set time aside each day to care for your child’s teeth. Below are some suggestions that can help you and your child develop a dental care routine.

Bring them in early

It is recommended that children visit the dentist within six months of their first tooth erupting. This will not only help ensure that their teeth are erupting properly, but will help them to feel safe and at ease in the dental chair. All of our staff and dentists are patient and compassionate and will do their best to make your child comfortable during their first visit.

Make brushing fun!

Getting your kids to enjoy brushing their teeth can be a challenge for any parent. However, with a little patience and perseverance you can make daily brushing and flossing a fun part of your child’s daily routine. You could try singing a little song while you help the child brush. Letting the child pick his or her own toothbrush can also be a fun way to get them interested in brushing.

It’s a good idea to supervise young children while they brush to ensure that they do not swallow toothpaste. All you need is a pea sized amount of CDA approved toothpaste. While regular toothpaste is fine to use, a toothpaste formulated specially for children may be more palatable for your little ones.

Serve healthy, balanced meals

We are all aware that sweets like cakes, candies and donuts can wreak havoc on a child’s teeth. However, seemingly healthy snacks like cereal bars and yogurt can contain a lot of hidden sugars. Stick to low fat dairy, whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. We understand that it can be hard to get kids to eat healthy, but it’s not impossible! Consistently serving healthy snacks and meals as well as modelling healthy eating habits can help encourage your growing child to eat properly.

At Lynn Valley Dental in North Vancouver we strive to make our office kid-friendly. Our dentists and staff work to make each visit memorable for your child. To learn more about how you can help your child stay healthy, or to book an appointment, please contact our North Vancouver dental clinic.