A Kid's Guide to Great Dental Hygiene

Every kid needs to go to the dentist. Good dental care requires regular checkups and professional cleanings. No matter how good someone's dental hygiene is, a trip to the dentist is always necessary. They won't be able to get their teeth as thoroughly clean as a dental hygienist can with their professional tools and training. However, twice-yearly cleanings aren't enough to maintain proper dental hygiene and protect the teeth. What people do at home helps keep their mouths healthy and their teeth pearly white!

Keeping Your Teeth Clean

The dentist and hygienists will help kids learn how to brush and floss their teeth properly. Everyone should brush their teeth in the morning and at night before bed. It's also important to floss at least once a day. The best way to brush your teeth is in gentle circles across the teeth. This technique takes about two minutes to do a good job when brushing your teeth. The mouth has an upper and a lower jaw. Brush the teeth in the upper jaw for thirty seconds, and then brush the teeth in the lower jaw for thirty seconds. Remember to gently brush the gums, cheeks, and tongue as well. There are also kid-friendly mouthwashes for kids who struggle with bad breath or just want to ensure all the bacteria is out of their mouths!

What Kind of Toothbrush and Toothpaste Should I Use?

Kids need softer toothbrushes than adults use. Younger kids need smaller toothbrushes. Some kids do better with an electric toothbrush. There are even electric toothbrushes that buzz when kids should stop brushing one side of their mouth and move on to the next. These toothbrushes help ensure that kids brush for the proper amount of time. Most children need to use fluoride toothpaste to help prevent cavities and tooth decay as part of their twice-daily dental routine.

Keeping Cavities Away

No one wants a cavity! How do cavities happen? Usually, it's when bits of food and bacteria aren't cleaned off the teeth after eating. The debris and bacteria cause plaque and eventually the enamel of the tooth softens and holes, known as cavities, form in the teeth. Good dental habits help prevent cavities and flouride helps protect the teeth. Many public water supplies are treated with fluoride to help everyone in the community have stronger teeth. However, most kids should be brushing with toothpaste that has fluoride as one of the main ingredients twice a day.

Diet also makes a difference! Some foods are more likely to stick to the teeth and end up causing cavities. Candy, juices, and other sugar-filled foods are more likely to cause cavities. It's okay to have them as a treat, but kids should rinse their mouths out with water after consuming them and then brush their teeth as soon as possible. Once a kid has their permanent teeth, their dentist can apply dental resin to protect them. Thorough flossing and brushing are still needed, though!

Trips to the Dentist

It's recommended that children start receiving dental care six months after their first tooth comes in. For most kids, this means around their first birthday. Kids who don't go this early should still go as soon as possible for a checkup. Many kids, especially ones who make their first trip to the dentist at an older age, have a lot of anxiety about the visit. Parents can help by reading books about the experience and even playing dentist with their child so that they know what to expect.

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