Dental Tips For Kids

1. Curb thumb-sucking by approximately age 5 to prevent developmental abnormalities.

2. Don't allow young children to carry around sippy-cups containing anything but water.

3. Take care of your own oral health. Research shows that the bacteria that causes decay can be passed from caregivers to infants and young children. Rinsing with antibacterial mouthwashes has been shown to significantly reduce the number of cavity-causing bacteria.

4. Limit sticky foods such as raisins and fruit roll-ups, which cling to the teeth. Experts note that raisins are very nutritious, but they tend to get wedged in the teeth and stay put. Encourage children to take a sip of water after eating these and other snacks.

5. Limit the sharing of spoons and bottles between caregivers and children and among children themselves.

6. Cut down on sugary snacks between meals. One of the major cavity-causing culprits is eating sugary foods throughout the day,

7. Let older children chew sugar-free gum. Gum increases the flow of saliva in the mouth and helps neutralize acids on the teeth. Further, studies have suggested that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals can help prevent tooth decay.

8.Parents, don't let your children brush their own teeth until around the ages of 7 to 9 - or until they're able to tie their shoes or cut the meat on their plates.

Schedule an appointment with Baltimore Dentist Dr. Robert Jacobson at (410) 665 - 5205 for additional dental hygiene tips for children.