Countless adults have difficulty with their teeth and subsequently their health. You can get your children off to a good start with their dental health by teaching them good dental habits and using simple natural remedies. Ideally, with an excellent start, their teeth will last them a lifetime.
Good Brushing Habits
Children should be taught good tooth brushing habits at a young age, but ideally a parent will brush his child’s teeth regularly until he is 8! If that sounds extreme or time consuming, consider the time and money that is spent taking older children to the dentist to fix problems that began in childhood. Children are notoriously haphazard in their oral care.
Use a soft bristle brush appropriate for the size of your child. Gently brush all sides of the teeth in a circular motion. Never “scrub” the teeth.
Allow your child to brush his teeth some to develop the routine. Perhaps he can brush in the morning and you can brush in the evening.
Mouthwash and Children
There are many mouthwashes available for children, however, these are not a good choice for oral hygiene. They often contain artificial sweeteners, food dye and fluoride, each of which can cause health problems in children.
A cheaper, safer and more productive option for your child is hydrogen peroxide. The brown bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide available in the grocery store or drug store is sold as an “oral debriding agent” and “antiseptic.” Hydrogen peroxide is a safe way to freshen your child’s mouth and kill bacteria.
If you keep small paper cups in your bathroom with your teethbrushing supplies, you can add 2 teaspoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 2 teaspoons of warm water to a little cup and have your child “swish and spit” the solution after brushing his teeth. Have him swish to the count of 20, or while he says the “ABC’s” in his head. Or perhaps while you sing a silly song for him. This will kill bacteria in the mouth effectively and inexpensively without dyes, chemicals etc.
Hydrogen peroxide is not recommended for children under the age of 2. Children over the age of 2 should be supervised when using hydrogen peroxide. If swallowed it could cause vomiting.
Black Walnut Tincture
Did you know that black walnut tincture is used to heal cavities in children? It is a simple and easy cure. Add 1 dropper full to a tablespoon of water and have your child swish the mixture around in his mouth for 30 seconds and then swallow it. This can be done once or twice a day. It can take several months to heal cavities, so persistence is needed with this remedy.
Check Your Child’s Mouth
It is a good routine to monitor your child’s mouth once in a while, (monthly, perhaps) especially if you do not brush his teeth and if he does not visit the dentist regularly. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
- Are his teeth coming in properly?
- Are his gums healthy?
- Do you see any evidence of cavities?
- Is his brushing effective?
If you notice anything of concern you should consult a dentist.
Diet and Dental Health
Your child’s diet will have a profound effect on his teeth. Teeth, like bones, need good nutrients to be in excellent condition.
Your child needs quality foods in his diet. A variety of whole foods is ideal. He needs protein, fats, and carbohydrates.
It is not necessary to have a 100 percent perfect diet, whatever that might look like. Socially, children need to be able to participate in birthday parties with cakes or enjoy a meal at a fast food restaurant once is a while. But make sure that the majority of his diet is from real food. This will give him the building blocks his body needs for healthy teeth and the rest of his body.
Have you used a natural remedy for your child’s dental health? Please send us some feedback!
