Why you should brush your children’s teeth
Instilling good dental hygiene habits in your children from an early age gives them the best chance of having a dazzling and healthy smile. With tooth decay in children becoming an increasing concern for dentists, it’s never too soon to get started in encouraging the importance of taking good care of their teeth and gums.
Below is a guide for parents like you, to help promote good oral hygiene habits to your children.
When do you start introducing dental hygiene?
It’s recommended that within 6 months of the first tooth cutting through, or from 1 year old at the latest, your child should start having regular dental visits.
When it comes to cleaning your child’s teeth, you can begin from when they begin cutting teeth by using a soft cloth or a very soft infant’s toothbrush and water.
From 18 months old, a pea-sized amount of children’s toothpaste can be used to begin brushing more thoroughly. You may have to assist your child with brushing up until the age of 7, to assure they are reaching all teeth and brushing thoroughly enough.
Frequent Visits to the Dentist
We understand young children can often be quite anxious to visit the dentist which is why encouraging the importance of regular check-ups from an early age will help ease nerves. From their first visit, we advise routine check-ups twice a year.
Our knowledgeable and caring dentists at Karalee Family Dental take time to ensure our young patients are feeling comfortable when they come in for their visits.
You may also take advantage of government programs such as the Child Dental Benefits Schedule if you receive benefits such as Family Tax Benefit A payments.
Building Good Habits from a young age
Encouraging your young ones to build a good oral hygiene routine is crucial to keep their smile sparkling, but how do you do it?
We encourage that children do the following:
- Brush for 2 minutes twice a day – ensure your child is brushing all of their teeth, not just the front ones, getting the back, front and top of the tooth.
- Use a soft bristle toothbrush – ensure the toothbrush is replaced every 3 months.
- Start flossing between teeth – This can be tricky! Our friendly dentists can help provide demonstrations and tips.
- Promote a healthy and balanced diet – How? With minimal sugary foods and drinks to keep tooth enamel strong, gums healthy and prevent the need for fillings.
Ensuring good dental hygiene habits in children from as early as one sets your child up to take care of their teeth and give them the healthy smile they deserve. Coupling an excellent routine with dentist visits twice a year gives your child the best chance at having strong and healthy teeth and gums.
Karalee Family Dental is your friendly Brassall dental practice. Our highly experienced and attentive dentists are dedicated to educating and caring for young patients. Contact our friendly team today or call (07) 3281 4122 to schedule an appointment or if you would like further dental advice.
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