There are many first-time parents who do not know the first thing about taking care of their children's teeth properly. It is important to take the time to learn how to provide your child with proper oral care so that they can have healthy, strong teeth for years to come. The following guide walks you through a few misconceptions you need to avoid when it comes to your child's oral care.

Children Do Not Need to Visit the Dentist Until They Have Numerous Teeth

You do not need to wait to take your child to the dentist until numerous teeth have grown into their mouth. It is best to take your child to the dentist before they even have their first tooth grow in so that the dentist can help you learn how to properly take care of their gums and their teeth when they do start to grow in. It is also important to expose your child to the dentist as much as you can so that they can be comfortable when they are around them.

Children Do Not Need to Floss Their Teeth

Many parents make the mistake of thinking that their children do not need to floss their teeth because they will lose them and have adult teeth grow in later in life. This is not a good approach to take because it can lead to poor oral care later on down the road. It is best to have your child start flossing early in life so that it becomes a habit they are used to doing. If your child is not comfortable using floss, there are small dental tools available that have floss attached to them that can make flossing much easier.

Juice Is Fine for Children to Drink Juice as Long as It Is Organic

There are some parents who are trying to provide their children with the healthiest food and drink options that they can and assume that juice is fine to give their children on a regular basis as long as it is an organic option. That is not the case, though. All juices contain a lot of sugar and are not good to leave on the teeth. If your child drinks juice, they should brush their teeth afterward.

When you take your child for a dental visit, the dentist will be able to provide you with other tips to use to provide the best oral care to your child as possible. Your child may need a timer to ensure that they are brushing long enough or a fun tooth brush to make brushing more enjoyable.

If you have more questions, contact a dentist at offices like Advanced Dentistry of St. Charles.