As a parent, nobody tells you all of the little things that you’ll need to know, like what type of toothbrush to get your child when their first tooth grows in or what’s a good age to start them in a local soccer league. Fortunately, your child’s pediatric dentist is a wealth of knowledge and information when it comes to everything having to do with their oral health! Read below to learn more about the ins and outs of brushing your child’s teeth.
Start Brushing Before They Even Have Any Teeth
Even before any of your child’s teeth grow in, you can begin cleaning their gums to prevent bacteria build-up in the mouth. This can be done with a clean, damp washcloth, and it’s excellent practice to clean the gums after they’ve nursed or bottle fed. Then, once their first tooth erupts, you can start brushing their teeth twice a day, making sure no food debris or film develops on or around it.
Let Them Know Why Regular Brushing is So Important
Once your child is old enough to understand what you’re doing and mimic brushing their teeth themselves, it’s a great idea to educate them on why good dental hygiene habits are so important. The teeth and gums are their entire smile, and while their temporary ones may fall out, once their permanent ones grow in, there aren’t any replacements for them. That’s why it’s so important to keep common oral health problems like decay and gum disease away!
Teach Them the Proper Technique
Prepare your child for independent brushing by showing them how to clean their own teeth. You can do this by letting them know to only use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and exaggerating your movements, letting them see how thorough you’re being. Also, inform them to never swallow toothpaste! Soon down the line, they’ll be ready to brush their teeth all on their own!
Let Them Choose Their Toothbrushes & Toothpaste
The power of choice can be exciting and engaging for a child, which is why it’s a good idea to let them choose their own toothbrushes and toothpaste flavors. Whether it’s bubble gum or grape toothpaste, or a toothbrush with their favorite cartoon character on it, letting them play an active role in their oral health can help them become more interested in it.
Take Them in for Their First Dental Checkup
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children go in for their first dental checkups with a pediatric dentist by the time they turn one, or whenever their first tooth erupts. These early visits can help them build an excellent relationship with the dental team as well as learn more about their smile starting at an early age. This education, along with thorough examinations, can help your household stay cavity-free!
About the Practice
At Brush Pediatric Dentistry, our team is comprised of six highly skilled and experienced pediatric dentists, many of whom are moms, too! With genuine passion for providing fun, positive dental experiences for kids and starting oral hygiene education at a young age, each of our pediatric dentists have so much to offer both you and your little one. To schedule your child’s first dental checkup in Hinsdale, visit our website or call 630-504-2223.