5 Things You Need To Know About Your Child’s Tooth Care

“Be sure to brush your teeth” is one phrase many kids are more than familiar with. Kids generally learn more by example, than just instructions, so parents should set the example on good tooth care.

Once you practice good and routine oral hygiene, your children will follow the example and establish healthy habits for life.

To start healthy habits, check out the 5 Things you and your child should know about keeping a healthy mouth and smile.

1. It’s Not Too Early To Brush:

This one should surprise many parents, because mums often say “infants require no oral care as their mouth self-cleanses“.

But, it’s not too early to brush, even for infants, just, it is done differently. Parents should use infant tooth and gum wipes to swab their child’s gums before teeth come in.

This gentle tooth care practice helps greatly, by delaying bacteria from growing in your child’s mouth and in small folds of the tongue. You should not share spoons or cups with your child also.

Once your child has at least one tooth, you can start with a soft-bristled kids toothbrush. Use a tiny grain-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush after breakfast and after dinner.

You will need to help with brushing at such a young age and help the child spit and rinse.

2. Fluoride Toothpaste Is Safe From The Beginning:

There’s a widespread concern about the general safety of fluoride based toothpaste, and particularly for children who may knowingly or unknowingly swallow it.

In recent years, the American Dental Association has said that it is best to begin brushing with fluoride toothpaste. You can begin brushing with fluoride as soon as your baby gets his or her first tooth.

Use a grain-sized dab of toothpaste with your baby, and then use a pea-sized dab around the time the child turns three.

3. See The Dentist Early And Often:

Your child should visit the dentist by their first birthday. Generally, adults need to visit the dentist twice-a-year, same is true for kids.

If you as a parent have a high number of cavities, your child may be more likely to develop cavities. A pediatric dentist will conduct an oral exam and begin a dental history.

Catching them early will forestall major dental issues and huge costs of fixing them later in life.

4. Brushing Technique Really Matters:

Kids are usually old enough to start brushing their own teeth between ages 3 and 5. A good rule is two minutes of brushing, that means; about 30 seconds each on the top right and left and on the bottom right and left.

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Although, we can agree that two minutes is a long time for a a 3- year-old, and it definitely won’t take that long for kids who don’t have all their teeth in. The practice nonetheless helps tooth health in the long run.

Kids should never ‘scrub’ their teeth back and forth, instead, tilt the bristle toward the gums and brush each tooth in tiny circles. It’s all about preventing the surfaces and spaces from holding plaque.

5. Floss Daily:

Many adults set a poor example of flossing. Flossing should not be considered optional or just something you do when food is stuck.

Many parents and adults also believe children do not need to floss until the permanent teeth come in. This position may not be entirely is true.

You should begin flossing as soon as teeth are touching each other. No matter how well you brush, there are places that can’t be reached when teeth are touching.

Disposable flossiers made for little kids work well. Just be sure you can press firmly on the sides of the teeth.