If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to teaching good oral care habits to your child, don’t worry, start simple. Here are some basics.
5 Tips for Better Oral Health for Kids Oral hygiene instructions for children are similar to your own adult oral care routine. To help your children protect their teeth and gums and significantly reduce their risk of getting cavities, you can teach them to follow these steps:
1. Teach your child how to clean their teeth at least once a day
2. Eat a well-balanced diet that limits starchy or sugary foods.
3. Make sure that your child is drinking water or using dental products with the appropriate level of fluoride.
4. Take your child to the dentist for regular checkups and preventive care. See below for financial resources.
5. Make it fun and involve them in the process.
Dental resources for families living with medium and low incomes:
Lift the lip program – The Interior Health (IH) Dental Program provides strategies and educational programs that help prevent early childhood tooth decay. For more information (250) 505-7244
The Healthy Kids Program provides coverage for basic dental treatment, optical care, and hearing assistance to children in low-income families, who are not in receipt of income assistance, disability assistance or hardship assistance. for more information www2.gov.bc.ca
The Canada Dental Benefit will provide eligible parents and guardians with direct, tax-free payments of up to $650 per child, per year – to a maximum of $1,300 per child over the next two years – to help cover out-of-pocket dental care expenses for their children under 12.. For more Information www.canada.ca
