Children learn many of their habits by observing their parents and others around them. Perhaps your little one imitates you on the phone, pretends to shave ‘like daddy’, repeats your favorite phrase at the most unexpected moment, or ‘helps’ mommy clean up.
As a parent, teaching and demonstrating strong dental hygiene habits early in their life helps children build good habits that make them feel comfortable caring for their own smiles as they get older.
Fortunately, teaching children to care for their teeth does not have to feel complicated. Children stay interested and have fun with little things such as picking out a fun toothbrush, listening to a favorite song while brushing, or brushing alongside a parent. Over time, these small things help build healthy routines for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Teaching Children to Brush and Floss with Confidence
Infant oral hygiene starts even before their first tooth arrives. Wiping an infant’s gums after feeding using a clean, damp cloth will familiarize them with having something inside their mouth at their gum line. Once their first tooth has arrived, a soft-bristled toothbrush specifically designed for an infant is recommended.
Everyone, regardless of age, should brush at least twice each day (in the morning and before bed). Infants under three years old only need a smudge of fluoride toothpaste. Children between the ages of 3 and 6 years may use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Ensure you supervise so they don’t accidentally swallow the toothpaste.
When your child is younger, you should do most of the actual brushing of their teeth. As your child grows and develops fine motor skills, let them try to brush themselves. While they are practicing brushing, give them positive feedback and be sure to follow behind them to clean areas they were unable to reach. The more consistent the routine, the greater success you will experience:
- Brush the front, back, and top of every tooth.
- Gently angle the brush toward the gumline.
- Teach your child to spit out toothpaste instead of swallowing it.
- Change your child’s toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or earlier if they become ill or if the bristles show signs of wear.
Incorporating fun toothbrushes and other tools like timer music, and stickers often creates a fun and engaging daily routine for children.
When Should Children Start Flossing?
At Paramount Dental, we recommend flossing a child’s teeth once two teeth sit close together. Young children will need assistance with flossing; however, they can learn this skill with adequate instruction. There are many products available for flossing, such as traditional floss, floss picks, and child-friendly flossers with fun colors and designs. Choose a product that your child finds easiest and most enjoyable to use.
Make flossing part of your evening routine, which helps children view it as a normal part of caring for their smile. Parents who brush and floss alongside their children set a powerful example.
Smart Snack and Drink Choices for Healthy Teeth
Children need balanced meals for growing bodies, healthy gums, and strong teeth. Fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, yogurt, lean proteins, and whole grains offer essential nutrients needed for developing and maintaining a healthy smile.
Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce acids that wear away tooth enamel. Instead of focusing only on the amount of sugar your child consumes, consider how often they have it throughout the day. Frequent sugary snacks and drinks increase your child’s risk of cavities.
Try these healthy habits:
- Offer water between meals and snacks.
- Save juice, sports drinks, soda, and sweet treats for occasional use.
- Encourage snacks such as cheese, apples, carrots, nuts for older children, or yogurt.
- Avoid letting children sip sugary drinks over long periods of time.
- Offer water after consuming sugary treats when brushing is not possible.
Water promotes healthy saliva production, washes away loose food debris, and in cities with fluorinated public water systems, it provides additional protection from dental decay.
Protect Teeth During Sports and Play
As children grow and develop, they become more active and are thus prone to face bumps, falls, and injury. Children who play sports are more at risk for sports-related injuries. Protecting your children from dental injuries helps them grow and develop into teens and young adults with good oral health.
Childproofing your home when your children become more active is a must. Reducing hard surfaces, sharp edges, and fall risks lowers the chance of facial and oral trauma.
For older children who are entering sports, a mouthguard is invaluable. Store-bought mouthguards help, but custom-made options provide a more comfortable fit and better protection. Talk to your child’s dentist and find out which option they recommend that fits your child’s activity level and dental needs.
Do not allow your child to chew ice, bite hard items, or use their teeth as scissors or pliers to open packaging. (That goes for you, too! “Monkey see monkey do”!) All of these bad habits eventually damage your child’s teeth.
Keep Regular Dental Visits Positive
Routine dental visits from a young age help children become comfortable in the dental office. Regular dental checkups allow your child’s dental team to monitor their tooth development, identify concerns early, and provide preventive care such as cleanings, fluoride treatment, or sealants when appropriate.
Positive conversations about dental appointments will help your child feel secure at the dental office. Do not describe going to the dentist as frightening or painful. Also, avoid telling them that they “have” to go. Rather, describe how dentists help keep their teeth strong and healthy.
Help Your Child Build a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
Establishing good dental habits from an early age helps children feel confident about their smiles, understand the importance of oral health, and develop routines that continue into adulthood.
Paramount Dental welcomes patients of all ages and is happy to help parents create positive oral hygiene habits from an early age. If you have questions regarding routine cleanings, exams, prevention strategies, or want advice on helping your child maintain a healthy smile, give us a call. We look forward to assisting you and your family.