{"id":13851,"date":"2020-07-20T19:47:39","date_gmt":"2020-07-20T19:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/?p=13851"},"modified":"2026-01-08T19:39:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T19:39:05","slug":"childrens-dentist-arlington-heights-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/2020\/07\/20\/childrens-dentist-arlington-heights-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Children\u2019s Dental Hygiene: 6 Things to Avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/AdobeStock_221772056_2___1595965803_24378-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Boy smiling during visit with children\u2019s dentist in Arlington Heights\" class=\"wp-image-13852\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/AdobeStock_221772056_2___1595965803_24378-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/AdobeStock_221772056_2___1595965803_24378-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/AdobeStock_221772056_2___1595965803_24378.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You may often hear about the best ways to care for your child\u2019s oral health, but what about what not to do? Children\u2019s dental hygiene is important early on because it sets them up for success down the road. If your son or daughter can get into good dental hygiene habits now, they will be more likely to maintain a healthy mouth in the future. Read on to learn about 6 don\u2019ts when it comes to your loved one\u2019s smile from your children\u2019s dentist in Arlington Heights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#1. Don\u2019t Skip Fluoride<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps strengthen and protect enamel. As soon as your child has teeth, start brushing them with fluoridated toothpaste. However, only use a small amount because too much can lead to fluorosis. A nice tip to remember is to use a small smear of toothpaste before the age of 3. Afterward, you can use a pea-sized dab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#2. Don\u2019t Skip Brushing Supervision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Independence for children is great, especially when it comes to their oral healthcare. However, it\u2019s simply a fact that children cannot brush as thoroughly as adults, plus they may want to get out of it altogether. That\u2019s why you should be involved in your child\u2019s brushing before the age of 6. After, you should still watch them to ensure they are cleaning their teeth properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#3. Don\u2019t Forget About Brushing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your mornings and nights may be incredibly busy, but these are the best times for teeth brushing! Make sure that your family is brushing their teeth twice a day for two minutes each session to prevent problems like cavities and decay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#4. Don\u2019t Let Kids Carry Around Their Drinks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When kids carry their own drinks, they may frequently sip their juice or other beverage. This coats the teeth in sugar, raising risks of decay. If they simply like carrying around their own drink, give them water instead!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#5. Don\u2019t Give Your Children Sticky Sweets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sugar is bad for the teeth because it creates acids that eat away at enamel. That\u2019s why sticky sweets are dangerous for kids\u2014they remain in contact with the teeth for longer periods of time, increasing their chances of cavities. If your child has a sweet tooth, try chocolate instead because it can wash away easier than other candies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#6. Don\u2019t Avoid Going to the Dentist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your child turns 1, they should have their first dental checkup to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/childrens-dentistry.html\">establish a \u201cdental home.\u201d<\/a> From there, they should attend a checkup and cleaning every 6 months. Don\u2019t fall out of this routine because these visits are the best way for your dentist in Arlington Heights to prevent and detect oral health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember these important tips for what not to do to ensure the happiness and health of your entire family!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At Westgate Dental Care, we have a team of 5 dentists who work together, combining their training and expertise to treat patients of all ages. If you have any questions, or if you want to schedule an appointment for your little one, don\u2019t hesitate to contact our office through our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/contact.html\">website<\/a> and by phone at (847) 577-7171.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You may often hear about the best ways to care for your child\u2019s oral health, but what about what not to do? Children\u2019s dental hygiene is important early on because it sets them up for success down the road. If your son or daughter can get into good dental hygiene habits now, they will be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13851","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Should I Avoid to Keep My Child&#039;s Smile Healthy?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn 6 don\u2019ts when it comes to your son or daughter\u2019s dental hygiene from an expert children\u2019s dentist in Arlington Heights.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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