An American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry study shows that 42% of children aged between ages 2 and 11 exhibit signs of tooth decay. By teaching your children proper dental hygiene at an early age, you can ensure that they will not be among those who develop tooth decay. Parents sometimes think that since baby teeth eventually fall out, there is no need to worry about cavities. Sadly, unhealthy teeth can also cause your child’s adult teeth to grow crooked and out of alignment, resulting in painful and possibly costly treatment in the future. Contact our pediatric orthodontics office for more information about how to help your child maintain healthy teeth.
When to begin brushing
Your child should start brushing at an early age. It is advisable to clean your child’s mouth after every meal. Cradle their head with one hand while wiping their mouth with a wet cloth or xylitol wipe with the other hand. You can begin brushing their teeth when the first set grows.
It is essential to brush early on to avoid bacteria and acids forming. It is necessary to brush before bedtime to prevent buildup and damage caused by substances that include:
- Soda
- Milk
- Juice
- Formula
- Other drinks with sugar
Make sure your child brushes properly.
By the age of two, they may be ready to brush their teeth. The transition to brushing their teeth is not always easy, but our children’s dentist in 91737 guarantees your toddler will be brushing their teeth soon with the following tips!
- Make sure you show them.
To teach them to brush their teeth, the obvious first step is to demonstrate how to do it. Demonstrate how to do it in front of a mirror before allowing them to try it independently. Please describe what you are doing to keep their interest.
- Perfection comes from practice.
You can’t expect them to be master teeth-brushers after their first try. You don’t need to be afraid to hold their hand and brush their teeth together the first few times.
- Set a good example.
As part of your daily routine, brush your teeth every morning and evening. Seeing you do it encourages them to want to learn too, so they can prove that they are grown-ups too!
- Alternate turns
If their teeth aren’t getting clean enough when they brush on their own, you can assist them by brushing their teeth for them. For example, you could brush for them once during the day while they brush before bed. By doing so, they keep learning how to perform the task properly.
- Have fun with it.
Finally, brushing should never be treated as a chore or punishment. You can make brushing their teeth fun by playing music, setting up a reward system, doing it with them, or letting them choose their toothpaste and toothbrush.
We hope some of these tips have been helpful to you. In addition to providing advice on how to brush their teeth better, our pediatric office will ensure their teeth grow straight and give them the treatment they need so they grow up with excellent dental health. Our orthodontists are available to treat children of all ages today, so contact our kid’s dental office in Rancho Cucamonga, CA if you want to schedule an appointment.
