Our friendly dentist in Cape Town believes that establishing oral hygiene routines from a young age will lay the foundation for healthy teeth and gums all the way into late adulthood.

It’s not a well-known fact that tooth decay can occur as soon as teeth begin to appear. Tooth decay is the root cause of most dental issues including receding gums, bad breath, gingivitis and toothache.

Furthermore, bacteria that is present in the mouth can also spread to other parts of the body which can result in more serious health concerns.

Therefore, it’s easy to see how important it is to teach your child that taking care of their teeth as part of their everyday routine will prevent them from developing more serious dental issues later in life.

8 child oral hygiene tips for parents from our dentist in Cape Town:

• Dental visits are important – start taking your child to the dentist from an early age – try before their first birthday at least. An important part of dentist visits is to prepare your child for what they can expect and help them realise that it’s not only necessary but nothing to be scared of.
• Start early – as soon as teeth start appearing, start cleaning your baby’s gums. This helps them get used to having their mouth cleaned. Teeth are at risk of decay as soon as they start to show for the first time.
• Clean dummies – adequate cleaning of dummies is important. It’s common for a parent to quickly clean a dummy with their own mouth and then pass it back to the baby. This is how bacteria is transferred from parent to child, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
• Bedtime bottles – don’t put juice or milk in your child’s bedtime bottle. The sugars in these liquids stay in contact with the teeth for hours before your child wakes up, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
• Brushing and flossing – teach your child that brushing at least twice a day is vital in maintaining a healthy mouth. Also teach them to floss from a young age and encourage them to have fun while doing these things.
• Protection – if your child plays any form of contact sport, make sure they wear a gum guard which will protect their teeth from damage.
• Healthy snacks instead – make sure that your child has access to healthy snacks such as fruit and raw vegetables instead of sweets and chips. Additionally, water is a better alternative to sugary juices or carbonated drinks.
• Low sugar diet – in general, it’s better to avoid a high-sugar diet. Implementing a healthy diet overall will prevent serious long-term dental issues.

If left untreated, tooth decay can have serious implications on your child’s health in the long run. Establishing healthy oral hygiene habits from a young age can only benefit your child’s overall health.

Cloud Nine Dental – Your Family Dentist in the Southern Suburbs

We strive to be the best dentist in Cape Town and will gladly assist you with ideas on how to establish a good oral hygiene routine which will best suite you and your child. Contact us for affordable dental services in Claremont.