Tooth decay the #1 preventable childhood disease.
50% of children will develop tooth decay in their baby teeth; good oral care can prevent tooth decay.
It’s best to start early by wiping your baby’s gums gently with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze after every feeding. It gets them used to you touching their face and putting your hand in their mouth, so when they get older, it will be a habit they are accustomed too.
You can begin using a toothbrush as soon as your child’s first tooth appears. Brush their teeth at least twice a day—first thing in the morning and right before bed.
Use a small toothbrush with soft bristles that fits their mouth and teeth. When they are old enough, letting them pick the toothbrush will help engage them in creating a good routine and healthy habits.
Until your child is three years old, you probably don’t need to use toothpaste, unless your dentist recommends it.
I fought my daughter for months and bough every toothpaste they make before I gave up and just used water, so if your child does not like toothpaste, it is ok. It is better to get in their and brush to disrupt the plaque, and food particles then fight about using toothpaste.
My daughter has sensory processing disorder, taste and texture are an issue. We still struggle with different things. You will need to learn to pick your battles. When she would cry, I would tell her to scream louder because when she cried and screamed, she would open wider, and I could get the back teeth clean. We had well water, and as a dental professional, I was taught we needed the fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities. The reality of the situation is the toothpaste was not in her mouth long enough for it to be of benefit anyway. So why fight that battle.
When she was four, I started using MI paste to help strengthen her teeth. There is a version with and without Fluoride. You can not use it if your child is allergic to milk. I give you permission to not use toothpaste at all. I prefer you to make it fun and take what is a struggle out of the equation altogether.
If your dentist suggests using toothpaste and your child is ok with it, use only a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste, the size of a grain of rice. When your child has over three small smear amount of regular toothpaste on the tips of the bristles, don’t rinse to leave the Fluoride on the teeth to get the maximum effect.
Most children like to brush their own teeth. Teach them how and encourage them to brush by themselves, but then you follow up brushing to get all the surfaces.
Most kids miss the outsides of the top teeth and the insides of the bottom teeth. If you only have a limited amount of time, get those areas first, they usually get the front teeth.
Use the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, start on the top surfaces of the teeth and tip it, so the bristles are on the top and along the gum line at the same time, brushing where the gums meet the teeth in a circular motion.
Make sure you get the front backs and tops of each tooth and keep the pressure gentle brushing too hard, which may hurt or cut the gums. Bleeding is not normal.
Sometimes mouth breathing can cause inflammation on the front gums; you may need to brush longer in that spot to make the bleeding go away.
An electric toothbrush is also a good option; you can just hold it in place and slide to the next spot. It is ten times more effective, does a better job, and is easier to use if your child can tolerate it. I an a BURST ambassador. I recommend that type of toothbrush.
Toothbrush and toothpaste is a personal choice, use what works for you and your child everyone is different. You may need more than one brush to reach all the surfaces.
You won’t need to worry about starting to floss until the back teeth touch each other, and you have mastered being able to brush and get all the surfaces clean.
I recommend checking with disclosing solution or tablets to see where you are missing and if you are getting all of the teeth cleaned. I have a youtube video on how to use disclosing when brushing.
Your child will need help brushing and flossing until age 10 or 11 to help prevent cavities and gingivitis.
You can make toothbrushing a family affair take it out of the bathroom and make it a game creating fun memories. Our kids like to do what we do, so if they see you brushing, they will want to brush too.
Creating a good toothbrushing routine 2 minutes w times a day morning and night will set your family up for success and proper dental check-ups.
A healthy mouth is a healthy body and a healthy life!
If you would like to try an electric toothbrush, I am a Burst ambassador and recommend Burst.
www.burstoralcare.com use Promo code 5ZMZBR for discount
