You want to make sure your child has the best chance for a healthy smile, which means starting an oral care routine early on. But where do you start? Here are four tips for getting started.
Start Early – Before Your Child’s First Tooth Comes In
When your child is born, you can start their good oral habits by wiping their gums with a clean, wet washcloth to remove bacteria and residual sugars from their gums. This small routine is a great way to build a healthy smile.
Keep dental appointments
Keep a routine of visiting the dentist twice a year, and involve your children. By keeping your appointments, you make it an everyday activity, and they will make it a ritual. Your child should have their first dental appointment within six months of their first tooth or their first birthday, whichever comes first, and then twice a year after that.
Introduce Fluoride Toothpaste When Your Child Is Old Enough To Spit It Out
As soon as your baby’s first tooth shows, it’s time to start using fluoride toothpaste. Here’s how to do it:
- Use a tiny amount — the size of a grain of rice — until age 3. Clean the teeth at least twice a day. It’s best to clean them right after breakfast and before bedtime.
- Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when your child is three years old. Teach your child to spit without rinsing.
- It is best to put the toothpaste on the toothbrush until your child is about age 6.
- As your child gets older, let her use her toothbrush. Until children are 7 or 8 years old, you will need to help them brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes. Try brushing their teeth first and then letting them finish.
Show Them How To Brush Their Teeth Properly
Your child looks up to you; when you model great oral healthcare habits, they are more likely to engage in good oral hygiene. Start by showing your child the proper techniques for brushing and flossing.
Model good oral hygiene by continuing to brush your child’s teeth until they are about six. Then when the kids are older, the whole family can brush and floss together! It’s also essential for your kids to see you taking care of your teeth and going to the dentist.
Your child’s oral care routine doesn’t have to be complicated. These tips will help get you started, so your child can have a healthy smile for life; start your child’s oral care routine by calling one of our convenient locations to book your appointment!