Healthy Brushing Habits For Kids

Every parent knows that their child’s overall health matters a lot. Especially when it comes to their child’s oral health. Believe it or not, poor oral health can cause health issues as a whole. So, it should be important that your child instills healthy brushing habits on a daily basis. Not only will this prevent tooth decay throughout their childhood years, their healthy smile will last well into their adult years. It is also the key in living an overall healthy life.

The sooner you teach them to create that habit of brushing their teeth, the better they will stick with it and make it a daily routine. It’s never too late for your child to begin brushing their teeth on a regular and daily basis. Kids First Dental, your kid’s dentist in Greenwood, would like to share with you the following tips on how you can start these healthy brushing habits for your child:

• Choose The Right Toothbrush: Your child’s brushing habits should begin the moment their teeth start coming in. At that point, you can begin by brushing their teeth using a soft bristle toothbrush. Taking it a step further, you should also make it a regular thing to wipe your baby’s gums with a soft washcloth. This should keep away the bacteria that may harm the teeth long before they ever show up.By the time they reach two years old, you can be able to brush their teeth using toothpaste. At that age, use an amount of toothpaste with the same size as a grain of rice. From age 3 to 6, you can up the amount to a pea size.
• Encourage Independence: At some point, your child will need to brush their teeth by themselves. However, it’s not wise to leave them unattended while they do it. That’s because they’ll apply toothpaste at an amount that may seem like too much. Also, brushing teeth requires coordination. You can have your child hold their toothbrush while you guide their hand across their teeth and gums.Here’s a good indicator to go by in order to know when they are able to brush their teeth by themselves: If your child can properly tie their shoes, that means they have the coordination to brush their teeth independently. While flossing is important to your child’s oral health, you should do that for them since the task is slightly complex.
• Make Brushing Fun: It is a fact that some children enjoy brushing. Of course, there are children that don’t like it. Making sure your child brushes their teeth at least two times a day doesn’t have to be an intimidating task. This is where your creativity is put to the test. You can make up a song that will follow along with their brushing. If and when your child brushes their teeth, you can reward them at the end. Being rewarded for a good deed will often allow them to get into the habit even more. Because there is no good feeling for a child than being rewarded for brushing their teeth.

Make Brushing A Habit For Your Child

Having your child brush their teeth on a regular basis is a must if you want their oral health to be in the best shape possible. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist in the 29649 area, look no further than the kid’s dentist near you. Contact Kids First Dental today to set up an appointment for your child now.