Good oral health starts at an early age—and one challenge that many parents face is ensuring that their children are starting on the right foot, or in this case, tooth, when it comes to their brushing habits! But the sooner your child is able to learn how to care for their pearly whites, the sooner you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing they’re working towards a bright and happy future smile. Continue reading below for a few must-know tips from your pediatric dentist that will help you out.
Tip #1. Baby Teeth Matter Too
Your child’s baby teeth need to be brushed and properly maintained from the very moment they erupt until the moment they fall out. If your child’s smile is still all gums, you can use a damp washcloth to gently wipe their gums after feeding sessions to prevent bacterial growth. But once a few teeth begin to poke through, you might need to begin using a baby toothbrush coupled with a rice-sized amount of toothpaste. Though they’ll eventually fall out, these teeth still guide dental development and help your child learn how to speak and eat; if they’re not healthy, issues will arise.
Tip #2. Teach the Proper Technique
When it’s time for your child to begin brushing on their own, you can use your own good habits to instruct them. Show them how much toothpaste to use, which brushing movements and motions to strive for, how long they need to brush for, and any other essentials that might be relevant. Oversee them as they’re learning and give careful guidance when necessary. There’s no lesson too small here—eventually, they should be able to pick up on these habits and skills and learn to care for their teeth on their own.
Tip #3. Give Them Agency When Possible
Some children are a bit stubborn and prefer to be as independent as possible; when it comes to brushing, this isn’t a bad thing at all! So long as they’re doing things correctly, it’s worthwhile to give your child as much control over the brushing process as possible. You can let them choose their toothbrush, toothpaste, or other dental accessories that will help them stay on top of things. Simply getting your child more involved with their oral hygiene regimen early on can help them feel more engaged whenever it’s time to brush.
Tip #4. Educate Them at Every Corner
It’s easy for adults to take things like daily oral hygiene for granted; after all, we’ve been brushing and flossing for so long that these habits are often well-established by the time we’re parents. That said, this isn’t the case for children, and your little one might not understand why they need to be so thorough when it comes to caring for their smile. In terms they can understand, try to paint a picture of how their oral health affects the rest of their bodily wellness. Teach them about cavities and tooth decay, so that they understand the value of brushing diligently and prioritizing dental care. Teaching these fundamentals early on will set them up for a lifetime of happy, healthy smiling!
About the Practice
The team at Smiles University Pediatric Dentistry has proudly served families in the Bastrop, TX community for several years under the leadership of Dr. Adam Goodwin, Dr. Danna Radcliff, and Dr. Jim Adjan. They’re thrilled to offer a wide range of pediatric dental services for children of all ages. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the practice to set up an appointment for your child, feel free to visit their website or call them today! Telephone: (512) 321-5437.