Cavity Prevention Education

Taking care of your child's teeth is a vital part of their oral health. Dr. Keerthi Golla and Dr. Josh Lin recommend making brushing and flossing a normal part of your child's daily routine and provide these easy tips to help you do so. Call Almaden Valley Surfside Kids Dental at 408-770-9383 if you have any questions about caring for your child's teeth in Almaden Valley and San Jose, California, and to meet with our friendly pediatric dentists.

Healthy smiles begin in childhood, and our pediatric dentists and team are dedicated to giving your child's smile a great start. But we cannot do it alone, and you play an important role in your child's oral health at home. Here are some suggestions for taking care of your child's teeth:

• Have them brush at least twice a day. You will need to help with this until about age 7, although every child develops fine motor skills at a different pace. You can even let your child pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste. As long as the toothbrush has soft bristles and fits comfortably in your child's mouth, it should be fine, and make sure the toothpaste contains fluoride.
• Make brushing fun. Pick out or make up a tooth-brushing song, or let your child practice “brushing” the teeth of a favorite doll, stuffed animal or action figure. Be sure to offer plenty of encouragement and praise for a job well done!
• Help your child floss each day. Flossing removes plaque and food debris from between your child's teeth and just below the gumline. It is not a bad idea to floss after meals or snacks, but it should be done at least once a day, preferably before bedtime.
• Talk with your child's dentist about their diet. Limit your child's intake of junk food, soft drinks, and sports or energy drinks, or avoid them altogether. Try more healthy snacks and plenty of water instead. Our pediatric dentists are happy to make menu recommendations.
• Monitor for bad habits. Thumb and finger sucking is perfectly normal for young children and often stops on its own. If your child shows no sign of stopping, talk with our team about habit-breaking treatments.
• Protect your child's smile. If your child plays contact sports or is involved in an activity that could damage their mouth or teeth, ask our team about a custom sports mouth guard.

If you have questions about how to take care of your child's smile in San Jose, call our office today at 408-770-9383 for an appointment with our pediatric dentists.