Teaching Your Child How to Brush Their Teeth
Posted on April 9th, 2021 | Christopher Neal
Dental Care for Young Patients
We all know the importance of brushing our teeth. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is paramount to maintaining good oral hygiene, and therefore good oral health. We typically start this habitual regimen at young ages, but did all of us start young enough? It is recommended that children begin cleaning and caring for their teeth as soon as the first tooth emerges, or even before.
Parents are responsible for caring for their children’s teeth, and therefore they are in charge of teaching them how to properly brush and floss so that when the time comes, a child can take care of their teeth themselves. How do you start teaching your child the importance of dental hygiene early on? Read on to find out more.
The Steps
The first thing you should do when teaching your children about brushing their teeth is begin early. This means gently cleaning your child’s gums with a soft, damp cloth or a special infant gum massager/brush before their first tooth even emerges. Doing this will slowly get your child used to the feeling of brushing and the routine of caring for their teeth.
Once the first tooth appears, brush it gently and do so with a wet toothbrush and a very small amount of baby-friendly toothpaste. Ask your dentist for recommendations.
The second thing you should do to instill good dental habits in your children is follow suit. Do not tell them to take care of their teeth, show them how, and then avoid doing it yourself. It is best to brush your teeth in the morning and at night with your kids, when possible. This way, they will feel included in a family activity, and they will respect the notion of caring for their teeth if they see you doing it.
Finally, do not forget to visit the dentist. Taking your child to the dentist early on can have a huge impact on how they feel about their dental health, and dentists in general. Finding a reliable pediatric dentist will help your child adjust to having their teeth examined, since pediatric dentists are specialized in dealing with children.
Pediatric Dentist Near Lockport
If you are searching for an experienced, friendly pediatric dentist near Lockport, IL, contact Chicago kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry today. We will help you educate your child on how to take care of their teeth, and make it fun, too.
