Helping Your Child Develop Good Dental Habits

Although most parents know that good dental habits are important to the child’s health, many are surprised to learn just how early children can begin building a solid foundation for oral hygiene. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) , dental health issues such as cavities can affect a child’s learning, eating, speech, and learning, and poor oral health is connected to lower academic performance and increased school absences. By helping your child establish oral health habits now, you can ensure a happy, healthy childhood and set them up for a lifetime of good dental health.

There are many opportunities for building excellent oral hygiene habits in children, and you can begin establishing a healthy foundation for your child as early as one to two of age. Use these helpful tips to set your child up for a lifetime of good dental hygiene and oral health:

Taking care of your child’s dental health should become part of your daily routine during their first year of life – even before their earliest teeth come in. Use a soft cloth to gently wipe their gums in the morning (after the first bottle) and before bedtime, cleaning the sugar and bacteria that can lead to future cavities. Once their teeth begin to come through, brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and water. Until the age of 2, opt for fluoride-free toothpaste and stick with infant and toddler-sized toothbrushes for the easiest brushing experience.

Regular dental check-ups should begin sometime around your child’s first birthday and occur every six months for optimal oral health. Your child’s earliest dental visits will be fairly short and simple, but it allows the dentist to catch potential dental problems early on, as well as provide you with helpful information. Additionally, your child will have the opportunity to get comfortable with dental check-ups and understand that the office is a friendly, positive place.

As with most life skills, the oral health habits of young children are often closely modeled after those of their parents. Be a good example of dental health by letting your child see you regularly brush and floss your teeth, as well as use positive language to talk about upcoming dental visits.

Whether you allow your child to choose their own toothbrush at the store or provide fun flavor options for toothpaste, giving them the opportunity to participate in their oral health is an excellent way to get them involved. Not only can this get them excited about brushing their teeth, but it can also be a great motivator to keep up positive habits in the future. Children can usually master brushing their own teeth around age 6, so help them build brushing skills to promote a healthy sense of independence. You can let them brush by themselves, but at least once a day a parent should brush their teeth for them until they start school.

Did you know that your child’s first dental appointment should be scheduled around their first birthday? At All Smiles Dentistry , we can help you take a proactive approach to your child’s dental health, providing patient education and pediatric dental services in Lake Jackson, TX. Our team is passionate about the importance of building excellent oral hygiene habits at a young age, and we’re more than happy to help you learn how to keep your child’s smile happy and healthy. Schedule your child’s next dental checkup online or contact the All Smiles Dentistry office for more information today.

Shutterstock/ Oksana Kuzmina

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