Practicing proper oral hygiene habits early on can make the difference between a lifetime of excellent oral health and decades of painful dental problems. While it’s easy for adults to brush their teeth in the morning after breakfast and at night before bed, it may require no small amount of effort to convince a toddler to take proper care of their teeth. Here’s a brief guide to what you can do to encourage your child to adopt proper oral hygiene habits and maintain a healthy smile for life.
Brush Early, Brush Often
One way to make sure your child is comfortable with brushing their teeth is to brush their gums before their teeth start coming in. Regularly clean your baby’s gums with a clean washcloth after feedings. As soon as their first tooth starts to emerge, gently clean it and the tongue with a damp washcloth, gauze pad, or finger brush after meals and before bedtime. Once your child has a few teeth fully emerged, clean them with a baby toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You should also begin flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they have two teeth next to one another.
Help Kids Understand Why Taking Care of Their Teeth Is Important
Even if baby teeth are going to fall out anyway, it’s important to keep them healthy to prevent infections and help the permanent teeth emerge properly. The early onset of gum disease can make someone more vulnerable to serious chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. Explain to your child the nature of tooth decay and gum disease in a way they can understand, as well as how keeping their teeth and gums clean can prevent these problems from happening.
Model Excellent Oral Health Habits
Children look up to their parents as role models, so one of the best things you can do to help your child develop excellent brushing habits is to model them yourself. Have your child brush alongside you so you can show them how you brush using short, circular, gentle strokes to clean your teeth, cheeks, tongue, and roof of your mouth. Make sure they brush for a full two minutes for each session. You can even make a game out of it by telling your child that you are both on a quest to slay the evil teeth-eating sugar monsters.
Starting excellent oral health habits early sets your child up for a lifetime of excellent oral health. By making sure your child learns to brush properly, you can protect their health and prevent dental emergencies down the line.
About the Practice
G&G Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics serves the community of Naperville, IL with the best pediatric dental health treatments available. Led by Drs. Cory and Nicole, the staff provides effective services in a welcoming and kid-friendly environment. Areas of expertise include pediatric preventive, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For more tips on teaching your child how to brush, contact the office online or dial (630) 778-9500.
