It’s easy to imagine the effects that sweets and sugary drinks
have on children’s dental health. Genetics
play a major role in a child’s oral health as well. If you have gum disease, it
is more likely your child will develop it too. Teaching children proper dental hygiene
habits is the most effective step a parent can take to help children learn prevention
care. February is Children’s Dental
Health Awareness Month, making it a great time to start, if you haven’t
already.
have on children’s dental health. Genetics
play a major role in a child’s oral health as well. If you have gum disease, it
is more likely your child will develop it too. Teaching children proper dental hygiene
habits is the most effective step a parent can take to help children learn prevention
care. February is Children’s Dental
Health Awareness Month, making it a great time to start, if you haven’t
already.
For infants, you can start to teach cleaning habits as soon
as the teeth emerge by rubbing the appearing teeth using a warm washrag. By six
months the bottom row of teeth
begin to appear, and by twelve months the top teeth will grow in, if they
haven’t already. It’s recommended that children see the dentist by the first
birthday to ensure the teeth are growing in properly. As children grow are older they can begin
brushing teeth more and more on their own.
as the teeth emerge by rubbing the appearing teeth using a warm washrag. By six
months the bottom row of teeth
begin to appear, and by twelve months the top teeth will grow in, if they
haven’t already. It’s recommended that children see the dentist by the first
birthday to ensure the teeth are growing in properly. As children grow are older they can begin
brushing teeth more and more on their own.
Did you know if you are just brushing your teeth, you are
only cleaning 70% of teeth surfaces? That is
why it is also important to teach children to add flossing and a fluoride rinse
to their routine. You can start teaching your child flossing habits as soon as
the teeth start touching to make sure all the nooks and crannies are kept
clean.
only cleaning 70% of teeth surfaces? That is
why it is also important to teach children to add flossing and a fluoride rinse
to their routine. You can start teaching your child flossing habits as soon as
the teeth start touching to make sure all the nooks and crannies are kept
clean.
Having children visit the dentist while they are young will also help prevent dental
anxiety. Establishing a routine, as well
help to ensure the teeth are growing in healthy.
anxiety. Establishing a routine, as well
help to ensure the teeth are growing in healthy.
Tips on teaching better dental hygiene habits:
- Supervise a
child’s brushing to ensure proper technique is being used and implemented.
- Pick a song that lasts about 2 minutes to make brushing fun
and meet the recommended time for brushing.
- Let kids pick
out their own toothbrush
- Try an
electronic toothbrush with a built-in music player or timer that can be
set to 2-minutes
- Take turns and
show children how you brush
Not sure if you’re brushing your teeth the right way? Stop
in to have our dental staff
give you and your child a quick lesson up on proper brushing and flossing
techniques. It may take some time to get the routine down but investing the
time and effort teaching children good dental have will have lasting results
and lead to a healthier life.
in to have our dental staff
give you and your child a quick lesson up on proper brushing and flossing
techniques. It may take some time to get the routine down but investing the
time and effort teaching children good dental have will have lasting results
and lead to a healthier life.