“Kids as young as six may start getting their adult teeth,” says Dr. Faisal Khan at Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental, “and those permanent teeth need to last a lifetime. You can’t find a tiny helmet for each tooth or wrap it in bubble wrap, but you can follow a few simple tips for smile-protection at home, school, and play.”

Even tiny tots know that teeth should be brushed morning and night. Dr. Khan says, “Until your child has enough dexterity to write in cursive, you may need to help them brush so that every tooth gets clean. It’s crucial that kids brush their teeth right before bed, so no sweet residue from milk or food damages enamel during the night. As soon as two teeth touch each other, your child will also need to floss daily…with your help!”

Once your little one heads off to Kindergarten, how can you protect their teeth throughout the school day? Dr. Khan says, “Be sure your kids know that teeth are for food, not for pencils or fingernails or anything hard and inedible. Include healthy, nutritious food in your child’s lunch like apples and chose water over fruit juice. Talk to your children so they understand that what they put in their mouth affects their smile!”

After school, it’s time for soccer, baseball, football, gymnastics, karate, and all the other sports that keep kids busy and active. More than 5 million teeth are knocked out in sporting activities each year and wearing a properly fitted mouth guard can reduce the risk of oral injury by 99 percent! “Unfortunately,” says Dr. Khan, “not enough of our young athletes wear mouth guards. If your child doesn’t have a sports mouth guard, come see me for a recommendation. Not only is losing permanent teeth extremely painful and frightening, the cost of treatment may be as high as $10,000 over a lifetime. It’s always better to prevent an injury upfront…and a mouth guard is an easy choice!”

Moms and dads, you’re not alone in trying to protect your children…Dr. Khan is on your side! Kids might wish they could visit his crazy-cool office, Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental, more than twice a year, but every six months is perfect for regular checkups. “During your checkup,” says Dr. Khan, “I may recommend adding sealants to permanent molars. These sealants are an easy, painless way to prevent decay and are usually 100% covered by insurance. Protecting teeth can be as automatic as clicking a seat belt…and smiles should last a lifetime!”

Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental
Dr. Faisal M. Khan, DDS
832-222-TOTS (8687)
7830 W. Grand Parkway S, Suite 270
Richmond, TX 77406
www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com