Most children get their full set of primary teeth by the age of 2. Children are very prone to cavities as the diet tends to be high in sugar, and the teeth not as strong as adult teeth. Fortunately, however this is preventable with a focus on their oral health. Usually, the cause of caries is due to a combination of the continuous intake of sugary drinks and food and inadequate brushing.
To ensure your child’s teeth stay healthy and they follow a good dental routine, continue reading the tips below:
Set a good dental routine
To ensure that your child’s mouth remains healthy, you should gently brush their teeth with a small and soft-bristle toothbrush twice a day once their teeth begin to come out. This should be done using fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice.
When it comes to the ages between 3 to 6 years old, you should apply fluoride toothpaste about the size of a pea on the child’s soft-bristled toothbrush, although you must make sure they try not to swallow the toothpaste.
If your child is 7 years old or above, the United Kingdom National Health Service states that by this age they should be able to brush by themselves. It’s best if you keep an eye on them to ensure they’re brushing their teeth correctly to clean all areas in their mouth properly.
The Stanford Children’s Health also states that your child should be flossing once they have two teeth that touch, usually around the ages of 2 to 3 years old. It’s important to follow the directions given by a dentist to provide professional guidance. This will prevent any plaque that remains in between the teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach such as under the gums. If flossing is done at least once a day then it avoids possible cavities, bad breath and overall giving better oral health. Simple flossing techniques can be shown by a hygienist to make it easier for your child.
Remember, having them follow a good dental routine makes things easier in the future! This is because as they grow older, they would already be used to the dental routine you’ve taught them when they were younger.
If any guidance is ever needed for the parents or children, a dentist or hygienist can easily provide the best techniques to help with dental hygiene.
Guide your child to know exactly how to brush their teeth
As your child is learning how to brush their teeth by themselves, they should be supervised to make sure the correct technique is being followed and their teeth and gums are properly cleaned.
To make things easier for both you and your child, you can hold their hand and guide so that they can understand the correct movements for brushing their teeth.
Additionally, keep a mirror in front for them to see exactly where to brush and how. You can set this more as a fun activity for them, and use some visual aids, such as YouTube videos of brushing, so they learn to brush as a habit and have fun while doing so! Always make sure they’re brushing safely and not left running around as it may cause possible accidents that can be harmful.
Don’t delay your child’s first check-up with a dentist!
According to the studies of the American Dental Association, it is highly recommended that you should bring your child for their first check-up with a dentist six months after their first tooth appears. Educating your child early on dental care will surely help guide them to a healthy dental routine!
There’s no need to wait until your child has an emergency to bring them for their dental visits! It’s always best to keep your child on the right track with their dental care at all times and find any dental issues at an early stage before the procedures for reversing it becomes complicated.
Furthermore, having your child visit the dentist regularly at an early age will keep them familiar with the dental environment. This prevents any dentist anxiety and helps with future check-ups. Dentists advise regular visits for children to ensure the child does not develop any anxiety or phobias at a later stage of life.
At Clinic Effect, we have dental specialists who provide the best care for children. Our dentists and hygienists are always happy to help educate the importance of dental hygiene and teach the easy techniques to use when brushing teeth and flossing. Every child’s health is our priority and we aim to ensure that your child has the best and healthiest teeth and gums!
Source:
- American Dental Association
- NHS
- Stanford Children’s Health
