Dentistry: It's More Than Drilling and Filling

It can be hard to get young kids on board with a good dental care routine, but it's also true that many adults don't take as good of care of their teeth as they probably should. If you want your family dental care to turn around, it can help to take a step back and make a plan. Here are some tips to improve the dental health of the entire family regardless of age. 

Make a Calendar for the Kids But Let the Adults Use It Too

If your kids frequently need a reminder to floss after they brush, or maybe even a reminder to brush at all, you could try putting up a dental calendar in the bathroom right by the sink. Each family member will check a box on the calendar after they are done brushing, flossing, or rinsing. You can use different colors for different kids if you like, and you can also let Mom, Dad, and any other adult members of the family get on board if you think a reminder would help.

Step Up Your Rinsing Game

Most people will do at least a gargle or two after they brush, but what are you actually rinsing your mouth with? If you are using a mouthwash that does not contain any fluoride, you're missing a huge opportunity to improve your dental health. Ask your family dental care dentist which fluoride rinse they prefer, and also ask if there is a fluoride rinse option for the kids or any other steps your children can take. Get the entire family on board with rinsing with this upgraded rinse with fluoride and you'll slowly start to see good results over time.

Pack a Bottle of Water or Some Gum

In an ideal world, we'd all be able to brush our teeth after every meal, but in reality, that's just not possible. Children or young teens in particular could go for a long time in between brushes. They might brush in the morning before school but then head right to after school activities and not gets home until dinner time. Whether it's your kids at school or you at the office, make sure the entire family is prepared to do what they can to keep cavities at bay. Sipping some bottled water can rinse plaque away and chewing on some sugar-free gum can promote saliva creation to further aid your teeth