Your smile is the first feature that strangers notice about you, making it an important asset—and the same goes for your child’s smile! And caring for their smile starts at an early age, and as a parent, it’s up to you to ensure that they’re getting off to a great start. After all, a healthy smile will pay huge dividends for them later in life! Keep reading to learn about a few tips that your pediatric dentist wants you to keep in mind when it comes to brushing your child’s pearly whites.
Tip #1. Get Started Early
Did you know that oral hygiene should begin even before the eruption of the first tooth? You can use a clean, damp washcloth to gently wipe down your baby’s gums after feeding sessions to prevent bacterial growth. Once their first few teeth begin to poke through, which usually occurs between 6 months to 14 months of age, you can switch to a gentle toothbrush that’s designed for infants, combined with a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. By the time they’re older and more independent, hopefully, the habit will have stuck!
Tip #2. Educate When Necessary
If your child is old enough to comprehend the importance of oral hygiene, try to educate them early on about why they need to be diligent and consistent (some dental-themed toys and books are great for this). You can also inform them of the proper technique; while brushing is easy and automatic for most adults, that’s because we’ve been doing it for quite some time—this is not the case for children! They should be brushing in tiny circles on the gums and the teeth, for about 2 minutes each session, paying attention to every tooth.
Tip #3. Give Them Agency Throughout the Process
Your child might initially show some resistance or stubbornness when it comes to diligently brushing and flossing daily. One way you can address this is by granting your child as much control as possible regarding the brushing process! By letting them choose their brush, toothpaste, floss, and other accessories, they’re more likely to feel invested in the process.
It’s also wise to keep in mind that no matter how diligent your child is about brushing their teeth at home, they’ll still need to attend their first dental visit by their first birthday and come back at least twice a year moving forward. This ensures that all of the time spent brushing at home isn’t wasted effort!
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Myles Clancy, our team here at Kids’ Smiles on Lincoln is thrilled to serve the pediatric dental needs of families in the Worcester, MA community! We offer a wide range of pediatric services for children of all ages, and we’d be more than happy to help your little one maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule a visit for your child, feel free to visit us online or call us today for additional information or assistance! Telephone: (508) 290-0090.