Christian Parenting
"See that you do not despise one of these little ones," the encouraging Bible verse of Matthew 18:12 reminds every Christian parent.
Did you know that your child's oral health is an important part of their overall health? Making sure that their teeth are always clean and cavity-free can prevent possible oral infections from spreading throughout the body, and help prevent numerous inflammatory conditions later in life. Every child is entrusted to their parents by God, and it is the parents' duty to look after them and make sure all of their needs are met. "See that you do not despise one of these little ones," the encouraging Bible verse of Matthew 18:12 reminds every Christian parent. "For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."
It is crucial to be astute about looking after your child's oral health before they even begin visiting the dentist. Before their baby teeth come in you should clean their gums with a soft, damp washcloth. You can begin using a soft baby brush with a minuscule amount of toothpaste as soon as their first tooth begins to poke through. Gentle flossing can also begin as soon as your baby has two teeth that touch. Taking good care of your child's baby teeth helps to ensure that their speech and chewing develop normally.
When you should start taking your child to the dentist is going to depend on one of two dental milestones: either when they reach their first birthday, or six months after they get their first tooth. These two milestones usually happen at roughly the same time. This first visit will begin with a basic examination of their teeth and gums to make sure that everything looks healthy and that all teeth are growing in as they should be. Your child will likely have their teeth cleaned and receive an application of fluoride. The dentist may also decide to take a dental x-ray for a more complete picture of how everything is looking.
After their first dental visit your child should be taken back to the dentist at least every six months for a checkup, or even more often if the dentist recommends it. You will need to remain diligent about brushing and flossing their teeth, and their dentist can help give you additional pointers on how to do it well. Your child's dentist may also recommend something called dental sealant for your child's teeth when their first molars begin to come in. The grooves on molars are a great place for food to get stuck and cause cavities, but dental sealants are used to fill these grooves instead.
The only way for your child to pick up good dental hygiene habits as they get older is if you take good care of their teeth when they are young and set a good example for them by diligently brushing and flossing your teeth as well. Always book a dental appointment at the same time as your child and make a trip of going together. Make oral health a priority, make it fun, and you will be able to prevent many toothaches and dental issues for your child in the future.
Spiritual Prayer
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.