The oral health of your child matters before their adult teeth start to grow. As parents, it’s our job to ensure that we teach our children good dental habits to carry them into adulthood.

If you’re not sure which habits you need to teach your children, you’ve come to the right place. Below you’re going to find a brief guide that will help you teach your children the proper dental hygiene methods.

When it comes to dentistry for children, these are tips you don’t want to miss.

Brush More Than Once A Day

We understand that life can become hectic, but one thing you should never skip doing is brushing your teeth. Children should brush their teeth at least two times a day.

This will ensure that the leftover food they’ve eaten throughout the day isn’t left between their teeth. When food is left between the teeth, it can cause bacteria to begin growing, which is one of the most common causes of cavities and other oral issues.

Ensure that you show your child the proper way to brush their teeth, and don’t forget that a part of brushing their teeth is also to brush their tongue. Not brushing the tongue can leave your child with a case of bad breath known as halitosis.

See The Dentist Regularly

Another dental hygiene tip your children need to make a part of their regular routines is visiting their pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists specialize in prevention treatment, and they also provide education to you and your child about oral health.

Your child should see their dentists at least every six months to ensure there’s nothing that requires attention. And it’s also beneficial to receive regular cleanings and checks as well.

Replace Your Toothbrush

Looking at your toothbrush, it might appear that there’s nothing wrong with it. However, over time, as a toothbrush continues to be used, the bristles on the brush will become worn down.

When the bristles are worn down, it will reduce the effectiveness of the toothbrush. For this reason, you and your children need to replace their toothbrushes every couple of months.

If you don’t replace your toothbrush regularly, it gives bacteria a chance to grow on the bristles, and no one wants their children to put a toothbrush covered in bacteria into their mouths.

Floss Your Teeth

Many people skip flossing, and it’s one of the biggest mistakes that can be made. When you don’t brush your teeth, food that’s become lodged in between teeth will stay there.

And as mentioned earlier, as the food begins to decay, it can cause cavities and other issues to start in your child’s mouth. Ensure that you get the right type of floss from the store, and remember to be gentle when flossing.

Flossing too hard can cause your gums to bleed and cause further irritation between your teeth.

See The Dentist Early

Some children are afraid of going to the dentist. The best way to combat this is to begin taking your child to the dentist starting from an early age.

When your children are young, the only thing the dentist will focus on is helping them become comfortable with going to the dentist. As your child continues to get older, they won’t be afraid of the dentist, and getting routine cleanings and checkups will go much smoother for them.

Eat a Healthy Diet

The foods that you eat will affect your teeth either negatively or positively. Your child should consume foods that are high in nutrients and vitamins.

It’s best to consume a vitamin that contains calcium because it will help them when it comes to healthy and strong bones and teeth. If you’re not sure your child is getting the vitamins they need, you can always look into a child’s multivitamin that they can take daily.

Avoid Sticky Foods

Again, the foods that you eat will affect your teeth. Reduce the number of foods your children eat that are sticky in nature.

These types of foods will attach to your children’s teeth quicker than other foods that they eat. It might also be more challenging to get the particles off their teeth without brushing harder than necessary.

Get Your Kids Involved

When children are young, parents tend to do everything for them, from putting the toothpaste on their toothbrushes to brushing their teeth for them. While this is okay, it’s much better to let your child be involved in the process.

Allowing your child to get involved in the toothbrushing process will teach them the right things for them to do as they continue to grow.

Use a Timer

Using a timer will ensure that your children brush their teeth long enough to get all the leftover food particles out of their teeth. This will also help your children prepare for when they get ready to go to school in the future.

It will teach them about time management and how to get things done promptly.

Dentistry For Children: Tips For Success

When it comes to dentistry for children, these tips will put your children in a better position to have the best oral hygiene possible. Teach your children the proper way to brush their teeth and ensure they see their dentists regularly.

If you’re still searching for a dentist for your children, contact Brentwood Pediatric Dentistry. We specialize in working with children and can help your child feel comfortable as we teach them the right way to take care of their gums and teeth.