Proper oral health is essential at any age, and one of the easiest ways to instill good oral hygiene habits is to teaching your kids how to care for their mouth at a young age. Let’s explore some of the key parts of helping your toddler maintain good dental care:
How to Properly Brush Your Child’s Teeth
When introducing dental care to your child, it is important to make it an enjoyable experience for them. Brushing your teeth is generally not an overly exciting experience for anyone, however, toddlers have an extremely short attention span, so make sure to add some fun to the process.
When Should You Start Brushing Your Child’s Teeth?
You should really begin brushing as soon as your child gets teeth. Until the child is about twelve months old, they do not need to use any toothpaste. Even after they turn one, only use a small drop.
When Should Your Child Begin Flossing?
Once your child gets a few teeth in, as with adults, you should be flossing daily. Perhaps the easiest product to use are the little floss sticks. Flossing can hurt if too much pressure is applied, so just remember to be gentle.
Let Your Child Do It
If your child wants to brush his/her own teeth, let them. Don’t worry if at first they are chewing on the brush, or even if they swallow the tiny bit of toothpaste on the brush. Once your child has brushed some, ask if you can “practice” and brush their teeth for a minute. Doing this will not only show your child the proper way of doing it but also ensure you that their teeth are being brushed correctly.
Rewards
Don’t forget to end on a good note. Rewarding them with maybe an extra bedtime story, or a song, lets them know that they did a great job and that you know brushing their teeth is a new skill they are learning.
Tips from a Dentist
Although generally full of sugar, juice is not necessarily something to avoid giving your child. Just remember you can dilute the juice with water to lower the sugar content (and stretch out that grocery budget in the process). To make sure your toddler is brushing for long enough, pick a song to sing while brushing your child’s teeth. This is a great way for younger kids to tell when they are done.
Teaching a toddler to brush their teeth is not an easy task, but it is necessary. The biggest thing to remember is tgetting them used to the actions and routine takes consistency. Being consistent in teaching your child how to brush and floss will help to make good oral health a regular part of your child’s routine.
Finally, remember to bring your child in for a dental appointment at the Teal Umbrella. Your dentist will be able to spot any potential problems and give you tips for keeping your toddler’s teeth healthy. Your child will also learn to be comfortable in the environment, which is so important as they grow up.
