(1) The best medicine is prevention! Start kids with brushing and flossing early, and build a habit of brushing after sweets.
(2) Teach your kids to turn off the water while they brush. This can save up to 90 glasses of water per day!
(3) Look for toothpaste that does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate which can cause canker sores in some kids.
(4) The teen years are a great time to introduce a tooth tonic or mouthwash into a dental routine. Look for one that does not contain alcohol. You may not realize it, but some mouthwashes can contain up to five times the alcohol of beer.
(5) Test your child’s bio-compatibility. A simple blood test can let you know if your child may be sensitive to certain dental materials, and determine the restorative materials most suitable for your child’s bio-chemistry.
(6) Night guards for teens. Prevent damage caused by clenching and grinding related to stress. Choose one created by your dentist specific to your teen’s bite. Ask for one that doesn’t contain potentially harmful BPAs found in many plastics.
(7) Digital imaging – choose digital imaging for your child’s radiographs (x-rays). These diagnostic images use less radiation, won’t degrade over time and are easily sent by e-mail to specialists.
(8) Dentistry is a healing experience and should not be traumatic. Take your child with you to your dental appointments from a young age. Sitting on your lap or getting to sit in the dental chair without being a “patient” will ensure dental appointments are a positive experience for your child.
(9) Dental statistics show that tooth decay is the most common health concern that kids face. That's why it's very important for kids to have timely dental checkups to check for decay before too much of the tooth structure is affected.
(10) Visit www.ecodentistry.org to learn additional wisdom about protecting your family’s pearly whites, especially in a way that is good for the planet.