Dental Tips for Parents: Encourage Healthy Brushing Habits Early

If you’re a new parent then you may be surprised by the recommendations of the American Dental Association. Many new parents assume that they don’t have to worry about brushing their child’s teeth until they’re several years old. The truth is that as soon as your baby’s first tooth begins to emerge, you should start a regular brushing regimen. Read on to learn more and then contact California Dental Group with any questions or to set up an appointment with a family dentist.

Baby teeth are just as likely to get cavities as older teeth

Remember that your child’s baby teeth are just as likely to get cavities as adult teeth – and remember as well that any type of decay in your child’s mouth is not good for their oral health. When you first start helping your child with their oral health care, we recommend using a wash cloth and about as much toothpaste as could fit on a grain of rice. Then wipe each tooth down.

As your child grows more and more teeth, it will become more important that you brush their teeth after each meal, or twice a day at a minimum. When it’s time to choose a toothbrush, choose a soft brush and use a small amount of toothpaste. You want to make the experience as pleasant as possible so that your child will continue this routine for the rest of their life.

Special products for kids and alternative options

There are toothbrushes specifically sized for infants and toddlers. They have very small heads and some are even in the shape of a triangle or a circle, which lets your toddler walk around with the brush without worry that they would be injured by it if they fell.

You can also try children’s toothpaste but if your child really dislikes it, then just brush without out. This is not ideal but we’d rather you get them in the routine than fight and end up with a child who hates brushing their teeth. The goal at this point is to remove food particles from their mouth and you can do this effectively without a toothbrush when there are only a few teeth in your child’s mouth.

Start flossing when your child’s teeth start touching

Once your child has two teeth that touch, it’s time to introduce them to flossing. This is the most important step to ensure that food doesn’t get lodged between their teeth. You will need to help your child with this until they develop their fine motor skills, which likely won’t happen until they’re six or seven years old.

Visit your family dentist for help

If you have questions about taking care of your child’s teeth, reach out to California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161. We recommend that you bring your child in within six months of the first time a tooth appears, or by their first birthday – whichever comes first.