In between appointments with the pediatric dentist, it’s important to teach your children healthy dental hygiene habits. Instilling good habits will help keep your children’s smile healthy and happy and help prevent any issues in the future. Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry has tips for parents to encourage dental hygiene at home.
3 Ways to Boost Healthy Dental Hygiene
You can help ensure your children won’t face cavities, gum disease, or other dental issues by using these three tips from the doctors at Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry:
1. Brush thoroughly
After a baby’s first tooth appears, children’s teeth should be brushed for two minutes twice a day. For children under two years old, parents should brush their teeth for them to ensure they are getting cleaned. After a child is two, encourage them to brush their own teeth. However, parents should still supervise to guarantee their teeth are properly cleaned. Parents should supervise and assist with brushing until children are about seven years old. To make certain your children’s teeth aren’t developing tooth decay, it’s recommended to focus on the back teeth and the teeth that conduct most of the chewing, that’s where cavities often first develop.
2. Floss every day, the right way
Flossing, while often neglected, is one of the most important ways to prevent tooth decay. Food particles and bacteria that can be reached by brushing must be removed by flossing. To make flossing the most beneficial, it should be done before brushing. When flossing for your child or teaching them how, make sure to slide the floss between teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth and continue rubbing the side of the tooth, moving the floss up and down, away from the gum.
3. Avoid sugary food and drink
A major cause for cavities and tooth decay are sugar-filled food and drink. These sweet substances wreak havoc on your children’s teeth as bacteria forms and acid eats away at the enamel. Instead of giving your children candy, cookies, sodas, or juices, Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry suggests cheeses, nuts, apples, celery, water, and milk.
Visit our Harrisburg Pediatric Dentistry website to learn more tips to help teach dental hygiene at home. If you have any questions about keeping your child’s smile healthy, contact us.
