Encourage Proper Dental Health in Children

Dental health is vital to ensuring a healthy childhood. Proper dental health plays a key role in chewing, digestion, annunciation, and overall self-confidence. Thanks to constant improvement in dental technology and preventative dentistry, children are more likely to grow up with cavity-free teeth.

Baby’s First Teeth (4-24 months)

Before the first tooth erupts from your child’s gums their mouths still require regular cleaning. You should use a washcloth or a gauze pad to wipe their mouths after feedings, before bedtime, and when they wake up in the morning. As soon as the first tooth comes in you should start regularly brushing their teeth and gums at least twice per day. Special toothpaste is available for early childhood dental hygiene. Remember to schedule your child’s first dentist appointment around their first birthday.

Teaching your children proper brushing techniques (2-4 years)

By your son or daughter’s third birthday they should have a complete set of 20 baby teeth. Experts recommend that this is the time to start stressing the importance of proper brushing. Teach your children to brush in small, circular motions. Always make sure to brush their teeth again after they give it a try in order to guarantee it’s done correctly. Monitor them carefully and make sure they only use a little bit of toothpaste and that it’s not being swallowed. Try to make brushing fun by allowing your children to pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste in their favorite color or with a special cartoon character. It’s important that they use a pediatric toothbrush because they are shaped to meet the dexterity needs of young children.

Semi-independent brushing (5-7 years)

Even though your child is becoming significantly more independent during this stage of his or her life it is still very important to supervise their brushing. Encourage them to brush at least twice per day for a minimum of two minutes. I recommend that my patients use a timer in order to guarantee they are brushing long enough. Remind them to concentrate on their back teeth where decay commonly first develops.

Mixture of primary and permanent teeth (8 years and up)

During this stage you can ease up on brushing supervision as long as you’re confident your child’s technique is correct. Be aware that the replacement of baby teeth with adult teeth can create problems in your child’s mouth. Gums can become very tender and gaps along with tight spaces often exist and commonly coincide with discomfort. 28 permanent teeth should grow in by age 13 and once they are present braces can be fitted if necessary. Wisdom teeth present themselves starting around age 16 and should be removed in almost every case. 

Please recognize the dental health needs of your child and the fact that they change as their teeth and gums develop. These tips are meant as a guide to help you understand what your child needs on every level of their oral development.