How to Teach Your Kids the Best Oral Health Habits

There’s no better time than the present to teach your kids the importance of good oral health — especially since they’re likely still enjoying the spoils of their Halloween treats! By encouraging them to keep a consistent daily care routine now, you’ll be setting them up for a lifetime of brilliant smiles. Keep reading this blog post to learn how you can help them adopt healthy habits without feeling like you’re spoiling the fun.

How Can I Keep My Children’s Teeth Healthy?

Many of the same ground rules that apply to your teeth also apply to your kids’ teeth! Children learn from example, so one of the best ways you can model good oral health is by simply having them watch and imitate your brushing as soon as they’ve reached toddlerhood — you can even make it a fun, interactive activity by brushing their teeth first and then encouraging them to try brushing yours!

As soon as your child’s permanent teeth start coming in — usually around the age of six or seven — you should encourage them to follow the “two by two” rule recommended by the American Dental Association recommends: brushing twice a day for two minutes each, ideally with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, and flossing at least once daily! If you’re concerned about the sensitivity of your child’s teeth but still want to keep them in tip-top shape, consider buying them a soft-bristled toothbrush with the ADA Seal of Acceptance and/or a water flosser instead of traditional dental floss.

Why is Caring for My Toddler’s Baby Teeth Important?

Baby teeth usually begin erupting around six months of age, and while they might be temporary, they still play a formative role in your child’s dental health! They’re still important for proper eating and speech function, and their positions additionally hold space in the mouth for future adult teeth. The “two by two” rule (brushing twice a day for two minutes each) still applies here — just make sure you’re using a rice grain-sized portion of toothpaste if your child is under three and a pea-sized portion once they’re three and older.

Before your child has two teeth that touch, you can also gently wipe their gums with a dampened pad after meals to cleanse any food residue! Once they have at least a pair of adjacent teeth, you can begin flossing daily.

How Can I Keep My Kids From Getting Cavities?

Again, many of the general guidelines for adult cavity prevention also apply to children — consistent brushing and flossing, limiting consumption of acids and sugars, and scheduling regular dentist appointments are all golden rules to follow! You can help protect your child’s teeth by following these specific tips:

• Keep track of their diet — while foods like applesauce, pudding, and flavored yogurt might make a sweet snack that’s easy for kids to eat, their sugar content can also attract cavity-causing bacteria. Many fruit juices are also high in sugar with little relative nutritional value — when possible, serving whole fruit (either fresh or frozen) is always the healthier choice.
• Brush their teeth after administering medicine — many vitamin gummies and cough syrups contain artificial fruit flavorings that are high in sugar and can stick to the teeth.
• Visit the dentist regularly — you should arrange your child’s first dentist appointment sometime in between the eruption of the first tooth and their first birthday!

How Can I Make Brushing Teeth Fun for My Kids?

• Let kids choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste from the list of products recommended with the ADA Seal of Acceptance — allowing them to customize details of their home care routine like the color of their toothbrush, the flavor of their toothpaste, etc. will make them more likely to enjoy it!
• Reward regular brushing and flossing — consider using a big board or chart that shows many days in a row they’ve kept up brushing twice and flossing at least once daily, allowing them to draw or place a sticker to keep track! You can even give out small treats/prizes in exchange for “streaks” of consistent brushing and flossing, especially if you have more than one child — encourage them to treat oral healthcare like a daily game instead of a chore.
• Be affirmative, supportive, and patient — sometimes, just reminding your child how proud you are of their beautiful smile will motivate them to take good care of it!

Do My Kids Need Fluoride?

Fluoride, an element that naturally occurs in most water supplies, can help protect against cavities and decay by strengthening tooth enamel! The American Academy of Pediatrics states that community water fluoridation is a safe, effective method of preventing tooth decay, and can reduce the likelihood of developing it by 25%! Your child’s dentist might also recommend that they receive a fluoride varnish at their next visit — this quick, easy treatment involves painting a fluoride treatment in liquid/gel form onto the teeth with a small brush, where it will harden and then get brushed off after four to twelve hours. While the hardened varnish might feel a little funny to your child’s tongue, the application itself is absolutely painless and they won’t be able to lick it off.

There is a minimal risk of dental fluorosis — a kind of discoloration that normally appears as faint white streaks — developing on your child’s teeth if they receive excess amounts of fluoride before the age of six months, potentially from using fluoridated water to prepare baby formula. However, even when fluorosis does occur, it is generally mild and does not affect the teeth’s actual health or ability to function in any way. Additionally, the risk of fluorosis development disappears as soon as your child’s adult teeth start erupting, usually around the age of eight.

Great Dental Health Starts at Home!

There’s no reason for kids to dread going to the dentist! As a parent, your ability to set a good example for your children’s dental health will lay the foundations for a lifetime of wellness. With these tips, it should be easier than ever to help them keep their smiles clean, bright, and healthy — and you can rest assured knowing that they’ll thank you later.

If you’re interested in making El Segundo Modern Dentistry your family dentist, call our office at (424) 277-2671 today!