The excitement of the festive season for children is immeasurable. From Christmas list writing and trips to Santa’s grotto to the advent calendar countdown, looking out for Christmas lights during car journeys and then finally Christmas eve night excitement. While the magic of Christmas is one of the best times of the year, it can be distracting to daily routines, including dental care. We reveal how you can keep the excitement of the festive season while teaching your children to always prioritise their dental care with these tips.
A Dental Routine for Children
As a reminder on what a child’s daily dental care routine should already look like, they need to be following these steps:
- Brush teeth twice daily for 2 minutes each time.
- Use a children’s fluoride toothpaste.
- Spit toothpaste out after brushing – don’t rinse as the fluoride won’t work.
You can begin brushing your child’s teeth as soon as their first milk teeth appear, which is usually around 6 months old. We advise you to brush their teeth for them until they are able to do it themselves while supervised by you.
You can also begin bringing them in for dental appointments so we can monitor their dental health and they can become familiar with the practice and team so it is less daunting when they are older.
Festive Fun for Dental Care
Getting your child involved with dental care can seem tricky at first, however you know your child best and what gets them motivated. Do they enjoy music? Find 2 minute festive songs to brush their teeth to. Do they have a favourite cartoon character? Try to find a toothbrush with them on.
It is also important to try and implement brushing their teeth as a staple in their morning and evening routines, just like getting dressed and washing their face. This should help them to remember the importance of brushing twice daily as they grow older and become more independent with their routines in the new year.
Festive Brace Care
During the festive season, many traditions can be quite food focused. If your child has braces, we advise that you stick to the recommendations from your orthodontist on which foods to avoid to protect their brace. This is typically food which is sticky, chewy, hard or crunchy. So soft cheese, fruits, mashed potatoes and yogurts are all great, however hard candies, nuts, popcorn and crunchy vegetables can be too risky. They should be also completing the necessary brace care routines to ensure no food is left hiding in their braces.
Finding a Dentist for Kids in 2023
If you are new to our website and are searching for a London dentist for kids in the new year, get in touch with our practice. We offer a wide range of children’s dentistry treatments, from general dental checkups and treatments to early orthodontics. We pride ourselves on creating a family friendly environment with highly trained staff so you are in safe hands.
To enquire with us about children’s dentistry, please complete our online enquiry form.