Tips for Improving Your Child’s Oral Health

Oral care is one of the essential habits children should learn at home. According to a recent American Academy of Periodontology survey, 42% of parents believe that establishing healthy oral habits early will positively affect their child’s future. But how can you help them get there? Establishing healthy habits at home requires much effort and dedication from parents and children. Fortunately, many dentists agree that small changes in routine can make a big difference in the long run. Read on for some excellent advice on how you can improve your child’s oral hygiene and prevent common problems such as tartar build-up, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Set a Good Example

It’s never too early to start instilling healthy habits in your children. This applies to oral hygiene, too. If your children see you brushing your teeth multiple times a day and flossing regularly, they will also feel more comfortable with these habits. This will help your children develop good brushing habits early, ensuring they stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Brush Twice Daily For At Least 2 Minutes

Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day for 2 minutes. The goal is to remove plaque, a sticky, bacteria-infested substance that can cause gum disease and tooth decay. One way to keep track of how long you have been brushing is to switch the radio on and tune into a station that only plays for 2 minutes at a time. If you have young children, you can also make it a game by using a timer or setting a timer on your phone. This will help your children understand the importance of brushing for the correct amount of time and make brushing more fun for everyone.

Use Flouride Toothpaste

Children over the age of 3 should use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste while they brush twice daily. Fluoride promotes strong teeth, reduces the risk of tooth decay, and can even help prevent gingivitis. As with adults, children should brush their teeth twice a day with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. If you are unsure which toothpaste is best for your child, ask your dentist for advice.

Regular Checkups

Regular checkups at the dentist are an essential part of your child’s oral hygiene routine. Visiting the dentist every 6 months allows your child’s dentist to check their oral hygiene and identify any early signs of tooth decay or gum disease. Regular visits to a children’s dentist as a child will help your child feel comfortable with the dentist and make it more likely that they will continue to visit the dentist throughout their life. Regular visits will also enable your child’s dentist to spot and treat any potential problems early on, significantly reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Rinse After Eating

Make it a habit to rinse your child’s mouth out with water after they finish eating. Chewing on food can cause food particles to become lodged between your child’s teeth and gum line. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if it is not removed. Rinsing your child’s mouth with water will make it easier to remove harmful food particles and reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Additionally, according to this dentist in Downey, rinsing with water will help in lowering the pH level in your child’s mouth. Thus, saving their teeth from longer exposure to acid.

Conclusion

Children are more likely to develop healthy oral habits if they are made to feel comfortable and have fun while brushing their teeth. Using flavored toothpaste, adding stickers to their toothbrush, or buying a fun toothbrush can make brushing for children more enjoyable. This will make it easier for them to maintain good oral hygiene as they grow older. It’s never too early to start instilling healthy habits in your children.

Samantha

Samantha hails from Virginia and is a proud wife to a retired Deputy Sheriff and mother to two amazing little boys named Jack & William. A veteran product reviewer; Samantha has been reviewing products for 8 years and offers high quality product reviews with original photography.