It is very important to start early when it comes to learning good dental hygiene habits. One of the important techniques is learning how to brush your teeth. Parents can help their children learn the proper brushing techniques by:
Until your child is able to tie their own shoes, remember to help them brush and floss. Don’t forget to schedule a check-up every 6 months to pinpoint any underlying problems before they have the chance to turn into something bigger!
Posted on behalf of:
Wayne G. Suway, DDS, MAGD
1820 The Exchange SE #600
Atlanta, GA 30339
Watching your child learn to take care of daily responsibilities like getting dressed, brushing their teeth, or putting on their shoes is something that makes parent’s lives easier and gives children a sense of accomplishment. But sometimes it’s important for parents to still step in. For instance, making sure your child has their shoes on the correct feet is wearing clothes that match, or is brushing their teeth the right way.
Until your child can tie their own shoes, they most likely don’t have the dexterity that they need to fully remove all of the plaque from their teeth with brushing and flossing. Brushing along the gumlines on the outside and inside of each tooth, as well as flossing between every tooth can take a lot of coordination. To make sure that your child isn’t accidentally putting themselves at risk for cavities and fillings on certain teeth, it’s best to help “check” their oral hygiene at least once a day.
Encourage your child to brush and floss on their own, no matter how old they are. After your child “finishes” brushing or flossing, let them know that you’re going to check to make sure their teeth are clean and shiny, but need to check with their toothbrush and flosser. At this point you should brush their teeth for at least two minutes to ensure thorough plaque removal, as well as floss between every tooth, even if they’re not touching.
You know your child better than anyone else, but sometimes you can’t see plaque because it’s the same color as their tooth enamel. Until your child is easily tying their shoes, you should brush their teeth for them at least once each day. As they get older, it may also be a good idea to check in on their oral hygiene throughout the week.
Posted on behalf of Dr. Lawrence Rosenman, Springfield Lorton Dental Group
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