Keep smiling with your ABCs.

It can be hard to keep children engaged in anything today, especially when they are learning new things. Parents who are looking to teach their children about good oral health can emphasize the ABCs with fresh dental concepts about healthy teeth. Below are some examples of ABCs that will keep your little one smiling.

It starts with A.

Let’s start with A and go through the alphabet so children can learn notions that are associated with each letter.

A is for Appointment. The first step in making an appointment for a biannual checkup is by calling Pediatric Dental Specialists! We recommend a child’s first appointment is after their first tooth erupts, or around their first birthday, whichever comes first.

B is for Brushing. Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day, and for a minimum of two minutes each time. Focus on brushing all surfaces of the teeth, including the front, back, and sides.

C is for Cavity. A cavity is what happens when plaque and tartar build up on teeth and eat away at the enamel. Keep up with proper brushing habits to avoid cavities.

D is for Dentist. Your Pediatric Dental Specialist team wants to see you at least twice a year, spacing appointments about six months apart. Your dentist will check your teeth for any dental issues during your appointment.

E is for Enamel. Enamel is the hard outer coating of the teeth. It helps to keep your teeth healthy.

F is for Flossing. Flossing at least once a day is recommended to make sure that any food particles are removed from between the teeth. Flossing between teeth is an important part of a good oral hygiene routine because toothbrushes can’t reach between teeth.

G is for Gums. Your gums are important to your dental health because they are what keeps your teeth in place. Don’t forget to brush along your gumline.

H is for Halitosis. Halitosis is the dental term for bad breath. Brushing twice a day helps to cure halitosis. Don’t forget to brush your tongue—bacteria live there too.

I is for Interdental Toothbrush. An interdental brush is used to clean between your teeth. Make sure you are using one to help keep bacteria and food particles out of these spaces.

J is for Juice. Juice contains sugars, which can stick to teeth and become plaque. To help reduce plaque, limit juice to mealtimes, and sip on water throughout the day.

K is for Keeping Teeth Clean. The best way to keep teeth clean is by using the proper tools. Make sure your child is using an appropriate sized toothbrush that has soft bristles, as well as a toothpaste that contains fluoride.

L is for Lip Protection. Don’t forget about keeping your lips healthy. Remember to drink water and stay hydrated for healthy skin all over.

M is for Mouth Guards. If your child plays sports, a mouth guard is an important piece of equipment because it helps protect the teeth from any hard hits and falls.

N is for Nutrition. Nutrition is a key factor for healthy teeth. Make sure your child gets enough calcium because it helps keep tooth enamel and bones healthy.

O is for Orthodontics. Orthodontics is the dental practice that helps with tooth alignment. Many children will end up needing orthodontic equipment, like braces, to help align their teeth.

P is for Plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that appears on teeth and needs to be brushed away so it doesn’t eat away at the tooth’s enamel and cause cavities.

Q is for Quality Time. Spend quality time together as a family brushing your teeth. Children learn by example, so spend a few minutes each night brushing and flossing together. Remember, brush for at least two minutes twice a day!

R is for Right Way. The right way to brush teeth is by using small, circular motions on all surfaces of the teeth.

S is for Sugar. Excess sugar can cause harm to teeth, so make sure to limit sugar intake.

T is for Tooth Fairy. The tooth fairy visits after a child loses their teeth. Many times, in exchange for the tooth, the tooth fairy may leave a small present or money.

U is for Understanding Tooth Decay. Tooth decay is what happens without a good dental hygiene routine. Make sure to brush at least twice a day and floss once a day to keep your teeth healthy.

V is for Vitamins. Just like your body benefits from vitamins, your teeth do too. Make sure to include a variety of vitamins into your diet, including Vitamins B, C, and D.

W is for Waterpik. A waterpik uses a high pressure stream of water to clean between your teeth. A Waterpik is an option for those who find using dental floss a hassle or too complicated.

X is for X-ray. During your biannual dental visit, your dentist will take dental X-rays to gain a full view of your teeth. The X-rays help your dentist find dental issues not visible to the eye and also helps your dentist monitor how your child’s teeth are aligned.

Y is for Your Biannual Appointments. Have you scheduled your biannual appointment yet? These twice-yearly dental check-ups are part of a healthy dental routine.

Z is for Zinc. Zinc is a mineral often found in protein-rich foods like beans that helps to combat bacteria in your mouth.

Visit Pediatric Dental Specialists for your child’s biannual exam.

Your child’s dental health is very important, so make sure you are keeping up with their biannual appointments. We specialize in pediatric dentistry and can’t wait to see you and your child soon!