Old or young, your attitudes toward brushing your teeth might
not be too different from what you thought as a kid. If it was hard
getting yourself to brush your teeth as a child, that’s often a
challenge that follows you into adulthood. Brushing your teeth is one of
the few habits that you keep life-long. And if you’re a parent,
modeling and teaching good oral hygiene can make the difference in your
child having an easy or hard time keeping up on their own oral health,
even into adulthood. Challenges with oral hygiene are usually a
consequence of starting off on the wrong foot, starting with brushing
your milk teeth.
Do baby teeth deserve the same care as permanent teeth?
Yes, baby teeth—also known as milk teeth—require the same amount of
care as permanent adult teeth. There are two main reasons why it’s
crucial for your children to develop healthy oral hygiene habits,
starting as early as when baby teeth first erupt.
The longest-lasting reason to start your kids with good oral hygiene habits is psychological.
When they’re young, your kids have the best shot at developing habits
and attitudes that stick. Brushing teeth is a simple habit that requires
very little work, but somehow it can warp into a “to-do” or task that
many wish we could skip. This attitude can be completely reframed by
starting your kids off with a positive attitude—they don’t “have” to
brush their teeth, they “get” to.
Your kids should also start visiting dentist as soon as they have a
full mouth of teeth. Starting as early as two years old, consider
introducing your child to your family dentist, as regular visits are
going to ensure you stay ahead of any problems and also avoid
“dentophobia,” the irrational fear of dentists that even many adults
have to battle. As a parent, you should explain to your child what to
expect from each dentist appointment.
In addition to the psychology of oral health, maintaining healthy
milk teeth until naturally replaced by permanent teeth actually primes
your child’s jaw for better health and condition of adult teeth.
Temporary teeth affect the development of your children’s oral cavity,
and also participate in the development of jaw structure (bones,
muscles, gums, tongue, etc.). If your child loses milk teeth
prematurely, particularly due to decay, it can disrupt the position of
adult teeth.
Brushing baby teeth
You’d think brushing baby teeth would be the same as brushing adult
teeth—the goal is to clean surfaces and remove excess food and bacteria.
There are, however, some modifications in approach that can prime your
children to practice the best oral hygiene.
When your baby is less than a year old, it’s recommended to use a
piece of gauze. Put the gauze on your finger, soak it in a small amount
of water and gently rub it onto the baby’s teeth. Not only are food
leftovers removed from the surface, but it also makes your baby get used
to the feeling of teeth cleaning. You don’t actually need toothpaste
for effective tooth brushing.
Between two and four years of age, it’s recommended to slowly
introduce your children to toothbrushes designed for kids. Keep in mind
that children’s coordination is less developed at this age, and it will
be necessary for you to help out with brushing teeth.
After the age of four, kids are typically capable of using
toothbrushes more on their own. More than likely, you will have started
applying toothpaste by this age. The recommended amount of toothpaste is
no more than the size of the pea. When the children reach age six, they
should be able to brush their teeth totally independently. This is the
period of transition from temporary to permanent teeth, too, and it’s
crucial that your children already have a healthy oral hygiene routine
in place.
Above all else, model healthy oral hygiene for yourself, too. The
secret sauce to teaching good oral hygiene is taking care of your own
teeth!
This article was first published at Kids and oral hygiene on
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