GEM CITY FAMILY: Making dental care fun for the kiddos

Now that Valentine’s Day is over and all of our kids have been properly packed full of sugar, it’s a great time to talk about Children’s Dental Health month.

We all know sugar can wreak havoc on our children’s teeth but other than limiting candy, what can we do to help our kids maintain healthy smiles?

I had a chat with Cory Sellers DDS, MSD of Dayton Comprehensive Dentistry in Springboro and Dayton to find out how parents can help kids keep their teeth healthy. Here’s what he had to say.

Children should have check ups and cleanings every six months. It’s easy to let that slide, but for the best results, stay up-to-date on cleanings.
For a child that struggles with brushing their teeth, make it a game and even use technology and entertainment. There are smart phone apps that help kids stay engaged with brushing.
Let them pick out their toothbrush.
If your child struggles with toothpaste flavors adults handle better, there are kid-friendly options and that could help with a higher likelihood of brushing. Ensure the toothpaste is formulated with lower fluoride levels because they will likely swallow it.
Get them into flossing, especially kids with braces. Try various flavors or styles of floss.

Their diet directly affects their dental health, so try to avoid or limit: