By the time your child turns 13 years old, most of his permanent teeth will be in place. But this is not where your challenge stops.Kids throughout their teens often develop a mind of their own. It is almost next to impossible to get kids of this age group to adhere to a daily oral care routine, eating healthy habits etc.Having said that, there may be a number of factors out there that can play havoc when it comes to your child’s oral health.Genetics is one. Tooth development problems due to a prior prolonged sickness can be another. Then there is always poor oraI hygiene and bad eating habits that can make your kids succumb to a lousy dental health.While some of the above factors may be unavoidable, there is still a lot you can do to make sure your child has great teeth and gums. Just read the following to know about these dental care tips.

Oral Hygiene
It is important to always encourage your child to brush for 3-5 min by the watch, at least two times a day, especially at night before going to bed. Also, you must consider professional cleaning for your child at this age as it keeps the gums and teeth healthy. Always make them use the best toothpaste in India- Babool.This is because, in children of this age group, we often notice a rise in tooth decay and gum disease, thanks to the increase in the consumption of sugary foods and carbohydrates, combined with a lack of good daily oral hygiene.

Diet Changes
While your child will only and always prefer junk food such as cookies, chips, doughnuts etc., you must encourage him to eat right. Give your child healthy foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables and cheese. Avoid feeding your kids between meals, usually these inter-meal snacking causes most of the trouble. Encourage them to avoid sweetened sodas, juices and choose only sugar-free gum. If at all they do tend to eat the wrong food, make sure they brush & rinse their mouth properly afterwards. This dental care tip is very beneficial in the long run!

Seeking Professional Help
As conscious parents, it is always good to be aware of external professional factors that can help your kids have better oral health. A bi-yearly visit to the dental clinic is a good idea. To begin with, you can opt for dental sealants as your kids grow up. Dental sealants are thin fluoride coatings that are applied to the grooves of the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from tooth decay. If you notice a row of crooked teeth, you must opt for an orthodontic treatment for your child. This treatment, with the help of braces, helps with teeth alignment and/or jaw correction. Braces are very beneficial, but can increase tooth decay and gingivitis if not cleaned thoroughly. Permanent white spots around brackets are areas of weak enamel and are a common sign of poor oral hygiene. If your child is very active and prone to frequent falls and accidents, you must opt for a mouth guard before it is too late. Good oral hygiene should never be optional. No matter how old your child is, he must give undivided attention to the dental care tips given above, to keep that healthy smile intact!

Maintaining proper oral hygiene and using the right toothpaste plays a vital role in keeping dental problems away.