Starting an oral care routine for your kiddos is the foundation for preventive oral care, in honor of February being Children’s Oral Health Month here are our tips for starting healthy smiles early!
How To Keep Baby’s Smiles Healthy
Wipe gums twice a day with a soft, clean cloth in the morning after the first feeding and right before bed to wipe away bacteria and sugars that can cause cavities. When teeth come in, start brushing twice a day with a soft, small‑bristled toothbrush and water. Visit the dentist by your baby’s first birthday to spot signs of problems early. Talk to your dentist or doctor about putting fluoride varnish on your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears.
How To Keep Children’s Smiles Healthy
Be a role model. Monkey see monkey do. Set the stage by practicing good oral hygiene yourself. Brush and floss with your kids, rather than sending them into the bathroom on their own.
Teach them. Show kids under age 3 how to use the right amount of toothpaste. Once kids are able to understand how to spit, rather than swallow the paste, they can use a pea-size amount. When teeth have grown to touch each other, kids can floss and rinse with mouthwash daily.
Keep dental appointments. Keep a regular routine of visiting the dentist twice a year, and involve your children. By keeping your appointments, you make it a normal activity, and they will make it a ritual. Your child should have their first dental appointment within 6 months of their first tooth or their first birthday, whichever comes first, and then twice a year after that.
Talk. Talk to your kids about what will happen at the dentist. At the dental appointment, talk to your dentist about any concerns you have such as crowding, thumb sucking, losing teeth, mouth guards, and whatever else concerns you.
Brush. Brushing twice a day for at least 2 minutes is recommended. There are apps available to make brushing and caring for your teeth fun.
Putting these small actions into your child’s daily routine at an early age is the first step to preventive oral care.