Dental health is crucial, but often, children are too little to understand just how important it is to brush their teeth and keep their gums clean. As a parent, you want to do your very best to make dental hygiene a top priority. So, make it fun! Learn how to teach your children about their dental health below so they can live a long happy life taking care of their teeth and gums the right way.
Have Fun with Teeth
To begin, you want to teach your children that cleaning their teeth is very important. A toothbrush and toothpaste are essential. Use only a small amount of toothpaste, about the size of a pea is needed, for young children. Instruct them not to swallow large amounts of toothpaste. Make brushing teeth fun by allowing your child to choose their toothbrush and toothpaste. They will love being in charge and want to brush their teeth regularly after being involved.
Be Gentle
When teaching your child the proper brushing technique, be sure to stress that they must be considerate in how they brush. When you brush too hard, it can irritate the tissues. Observe and be sure your child is gentle with cleaning their teeth.
Start young
You want to introduce dental hygiene as soon as you see your baby’s first tooth. Do so by using a soft washcloth to clean away any debris.
Time Frame for Brushing
It is recommended that children and adults brush their teeth twice a day. Brushing should last at least two minutes each time. Be sure to teach your child these time frames for adequate brushing – you can call it the “two times two” rule to help them remember.
Dental Visits
Teach your child good dental hygiene by scheduling regular cleaning visits every six months. You want to show your child good dental habits so that they will continue such cleanings into adulthood.
Rinsing the Mouth
Show your child how to rinse out their mouth after brushing. This can be done with water or mouthwash. This is important to remove any leftover food or other items in the mouth.
Bonus – Flossing
Another important step to dental hygiene is flossing. Food can easily get stuck between teeth. As soon as your child is ready, teach them how to floss so they can keep teeth fresh and clean. Ask your dentist or hygienist to recommend an age-appropriate floss aid.
Regent Avenue Dental Centre is pleased to offer ongoing family dentistry services to many Winnipeg families and is currently taking on new patients – book an appointment today!
Learn more about our pediatric dentistry services.
