Christian Parenting
Consider, for example, this spiritually encouraging Biblical quote: "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching." (Proverbs 1:8)
Children's teeth often seem like little cavity magnets. Many parents think that, no matter what they do, their child will inevitably develop painful cavities. The truth is, however, that ensuring good oral health for your child is very much within your control. Christian mothers and fathers are called to instruct and teach their children in ways that are beneficial to all aspects of their lives, including their health. Consider, for example, this spiritually encouraging Biblical quote:
"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching." (Proverbs 1:8)
Children as called to listen to their parents because good Christian parents should know what is best for them. This is why you should brush up on three great strategies for keeping cavities at bay:
1) Start brushing and flossing your child's teeth early
Brushing and flossing can begin as soon as your child has teeth. Make sure that you use age-appropriate tooth brushes and only a very small amount of fluoridated toothpaste as you brush your child's teeth for them in their toddler years. You can start encouraging your child to brush on their own when they are around three years old, but you should always supervise to make sure that they are doing a thorough job and spitting the toothpaste out. Children are usually alright to brush on their own when they are about six, and floss on their own at eight.
2) Take the sugar out of snack time
Sugar is the main source of food for plaque-causing and enamel-damaging bacteria, and so should be incorporated into your child's diet as little as possible. The best way to make sure that your child is not consuming too much sugar is to remove it from their snack options. Take a pass on sugar-packed foods and drinks such as candy, pop, fruit juice, dried fruits, and cookies. Your child will be much better snacking on foods such as cheese, melons, pears, celery, and cucumbers.
3) Do not skip the dentist
There is only so much that you can do for your child at home; the rest has to be done by a qualified dental professional. You should start taking your child to the dentist around the time of their first birthday, and keep up with checkups and cleanings as need be. A dentist will be able to catch signs of dental trouble early, and give you the pointers you need to keep your child's teeth healthy and strong.
Follow these three simple tips and you will have no problem preventing cavities in your child's teeth. Keeping their baby teeth healthy is a great way to ensure that their permanent teeth grow in strong and exactly as they should, and of starting your child on the path to good, lifelong dental health habits. There is no way for your children to pick up on this important information without your loving guidance, so be the Christian parent that God wants you to be and give them everything they will need for a bright and healthy future.
Spiritual Prayer
You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart toward You. And You have shown him great kindness in giving him a son to sit on his throne this day. Now, O Lord, my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David and I am still a little child and do not know how to go out or to come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, so numerous that they can not be numbered or counted. Give Your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad, for who is able to judge among so great a people?