As a parent, you should want what’s best for your child, no matter how old they are. This includes all sorts of things—getting them into a good school, helping them to eat a well-balanced diet, encouraging them to make friends, and of course, assisting them with maintaining a healthy smile! And this starts early on; brushing from a young age is certain to set your child’s teeth up for future wellness. Continue reading below for four must-know tips that your trusted pediatric dentist wants you to keep in mind as you begin teaching your little one how to brush their pearly whites!
1. Start Brushing Early On
Teeth need to be brushed as soon as they start erupting inside the mouth—or even sooner! You can use a clean, damp washcloth to gently wipe down your child’s gums after a feeding session, if they haven’t had their first tooth erupt yet. But once it happens, which is usually around 6 to 14 months of age, you can switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush designed for children.
2. Give Them the Means to Brush Correctly
It might sound obvious, but your little one needs a toothbrush to clean their teeth—however, not just any toothbrush will do! Be sure you’re providing a soft-bristled brush for them, since they’re gentler on the teeth and gums. An electric toothbrush can also do the trick, as they’ve been proven to clean more effectively than their manual counterparts.
3. Show Them How to Brush Correctly
Brushing becomes second nature to us as we grow older, but children might not understand how to brush correctly at first, or even how often they need to do it. Be sure you’re showing them how to brush their teeth, and encouraging them to do it twice a day for two minutes each time. Help them for as long as they need it, gradually tapering off as they become more independent. That said, you can also give your child a little agency once they start to get the hang of the habit; allow them to choose their brush, toothpaste, and dental floss once they’re old enough to do things on their own. This way, they’re more likely to keep up with the habit!
4. Teach Them the Value of Oral Hygiene
As you encourage this habit early on, also use it as an opportunity to educate your child (if they’re old enough to understand) on why oral hygiene matters. The systematic connection between oral and overall health might be a little too complex to explain, but you can at least paint a picture of how oral wellness can keep their smile looking and feeling its best.
All things considered, brushing is only one part of the oral hygiene equation; you should also be certain that your child is seeing their dentist twice a year for routine preventive care. These visits allow their provider to inspect their smile for underlying issues and clean their teeth at a level they cannot carry out at home—but to put it another way, it ensures that all that time and effort spent brushing at home isn’t wasted!
About the Practice
Our team here at Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics has proudly served the dental needs of patients and families in the Clinton, MA community for several years. We’re excited to offer a wide range of services, including numerous preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and orthodontic treatments for patients of all ages. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule a visit for yourself or a loved one, feel free to give us a call today or visit us online for further information or assistance. Telephone: (978) 612-6222.