5 Dental Health Tips for Pre-Schoolers

By Karen Ward, 1300SMILES Townsville, Upper Ross - Begian Gardens - Woodlands.

1. You should brush your children’s teeth and encourage them to learn how to brush correctly, using a small pea sized quantity of low strength fluoride toothpaste.

2. Most importantly, avoid sweet snacks and sweet drinks between meals. The possibility of tooth decay is directly related to the number of times that sweet things are in contact with the teeth.

3. Seek your dentist’s advice without delay if your children’s teeth become damaged – whether loosened or just chipped.

4. If a baby tooth is dislodged do not attempt to straighten or replace it. Take the child to your dentist straight away.

5. Now-a-days, dentists concentrate on preventing dental disease. Ask your dentist how frequently your children need a check up so that problems can be detected early enough to allow the dentist to prevent them without the need for fillings

Editor: For more information or to make an appointment with Karen (in Townsville) please call 1300SMILES (1300 764 537). Karen also visits schools and day care centres to educate young children on dental health. Go here for details.