If you’ve been searching for advice from a family or pediatric dentist in Westminster about how to help your child develop good dental habits for life, J.B. Dental is here to help. One of the most important first steps is teaching your child how to brush his or her teeth. This is the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles!
Choosing the Right Toothbrush
A toothbrush that is too large will make it impossible to clean narrow arches around your child’s mouth. Check the labels carefully to make sure the brush is approved of by the American Dental Association (ADA). If your child is smaller, it’s never a bad idea to go down a size. Tooth brushing can begin as soon as baby’s first tooth pokes through the gums. Use a clean, damp washcloth, a gauze pad, or a finger brush to gently wipe clean the first teeth and the front of the tongue, after meals and at bedtime. As your children get a little older, try to find a toothbrush that is fun! Picking out a brightly colored and fun-looking toothbrush goes a long way towards encouraging your child to use it regularly. Some brushes may feature cartoon characters, and others even play music that helps your child know how long to brush. A soft-bristled toothbrush is the type of toothbrush bristle recommended by the ADA, and it’s also the type of brush most comfortable for your children to use. There are many different electric and disposable options available for younger mouths.
Selecting the Best Toothpaste
For very young children not old enough to rinse their teeth well and who may swallow toothpaste, it is best stick to a fluoride-free “training” paste. Accidentally ingesting fluoride on a routine basis can cause your kids to have upset stomachs. As your children grow up, phase in fluoridated toothpaste to keep their teeth strong and resistant to decay. Offer kids a choice: like the color of their toothbrush or the brand or flavor of their toothpaste. Flavors of toothpaste other than mint do exist if you look for them hard enough, and they can work just as well and in the same way as the mint toothpastes from major brands. One popular example is Tom’s of Maine, which produces toothpaste flavors such as Orange-Mango. Giving kids a choice invests them in the process and makes them feel like they have some responsibility and control.
How Long Should Kids Brush?
Most pediatric dentists recommend brushing for two minutes two times a day. Teach them to make gentle, circular motions, focusing on only one or two teeth at a time. Set a good example for them by not treating brushing your own teeth, or theirs, as a chore, but rather as a fun activity! Try brushing your teeth with them, showing them the right way while projecting excitement.
Encourage Independence and Responsibility
Once your child shows interest, allow him or her to brush their teeth on their own. Check to make sure that all of the areas are thoroughly cleaned. Until your kids are old enough to tie their own shoes, it is a good idea to brush their teeth for them once a day. Also consider using dissolving agents, which are tablets that kids chew and can usually be obtained from pharmacies or your dentist. The agent then reacts by turning pink anywhere there is plaque. The color shows kids the need to brush and lets them know when they are doing a good job brushing, as well as indicating areas that need more attention.
Make sure your child’s tooth brushing skills are up to speed by scheduling a checkup with your family dentist at J.B Dental in Westminster today.