Teaching your child excellent dental hygiene habits early is one of the best ways to help them stay in excellent oral and overall health for life, but kids aren’t known for being incredibly excited about brushing their teeth. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to help them understand the importance of brushing and set them up for a lifetime of proper hygiene practices. Here’s a quick guide to how you can help your child learn to brush their teeth.
Start as Soon as the First Tooth Emerges
It’s best to begin brushing your child’s first tooth as soon as it erupts from the gum tissue, and you should also begin flossing their teeth as soon as they have two teeth next to one another. This will help your child acclimate to the sensations of brushing and flossing so they can comfortably perform these rituals for themselves later. You should also be sure to schedule your child for their first dental checkup when their first tooth emerges or by their first birthday, whichever comes first.
Model Excellent Oral Hygiene Habits
Children learn many of their habits by observing the adults in their lives, so making brushing sessions family activities can be a great way to help your child understand the importance of proper oral hygiene. By brushing your teeth alongside your kid, you allow them to watch as you gently clean each surface of your teeth using a small bit of toothpaste and short, circular strokes for about two minutes at a time. You’ll also be able to show them how to properly floss without hurting their gums.
Explain the Importance of Oral Hygiene in Ways Kids Can Understand
Small children may have a hard time grasping concepts like destructive dental infections, long-term oral health consequences, and how chronic bad breath can take a toll on their social lives. However, most kids will be able to sufficiently understand why oral hygiene is important if you explain that their smile is literally surrounded by tiny tooth-eating monsters. While too much sugar will make these beasts stronger and meaner, your child can slay these vile creatures and keep their smiles healthy for life with excellent brushing and flossing habits.
Adopting proper oral hygiene practices early can help your child avoid a host of painful and destructive dental health problems. Consulting with your pediatric dentist can help you understand the best ways to keep your kid’s smile beautiful and healthy.
About the Practice
Painted Skies Dental Center offers exemplary oral health services to the Las Cruces community. Led by Drs. Natalie and Ramon Ortiz, the staff treats each patient with compassion, courtesy, and outstanding customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry for kids and adults. To learn more about how you can protect your kid’s smile or to schedule a checkup, contact the office online or dial (575) 521-8720.