Teaching your child good oral hygiene habits early sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles! As a parent, you might wonder when it’s finally time for your little one to begin brushing and flossing their teeth – after all, they aren’t going to have much knowledge on the matter! Continue reading to learn a little more about baby teeth and why it’s in your child’s best interest for you to help them with their brushing habits very early on in life.
When Does My Child Need to Start Brushing & Flossing?
Brushing should begin as soon as your baby’s first tooth appears, typically around six months of age. While it might seem early, these baby teeth are just as vulnerable to cavities as the permanent ones they’ll grow later on. And even though the baby teeth do fall out later on if they’re compromised due to decay, your child can suffer lasting, long-term issues that influence their adult teeth all the same. When it comes to flossing, it’s best for children to begin the habit as soon as they have two teeth that touch! This is often around ages 2 to 3, though every child is different!
How Should I Help My Child Brush and Floss?
However, children at this age cannot exactly brush on their own at this age – you’ll need to show them how and help them along the way! Use a soft, infant-sized toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. Gently brush their teeth (as many as they have) twice a day, focusing on the front and back of each tooth. Before their teeth come in, you can wipe down their gums after feedings with a clean, damp cloth.
By the time your child is around age 3, they’re ready to begin learning how to brush on their own, independently – which is a big milestone in itself! However, it’s fine if they still need a few years of supervision and assistance; they might not be 7 or 8 until they’re capable of brushing unsupervised.
Of course, even with diligent brushing habits at home, your child’s smile still isn’t fully protected – do not forget to schedule their first dental checkup by their first birthday, and remember that semi-annual preventive visits are the secret to a lifetime of healthy, happy smiling!
About the Practice
The team here at Kids’ Smiles on Lincoln has served the dental needs of families in the Worcester community for several years under the leadership of Dr. Myles Clancy. If you have any questions or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up an appointment for your child, please reach out online or over the phone for more information; we can’t wait to see you both! Telephone: (508) 506-8859.