As your child’s primary teeth begin to erupt, you may be wondering, “Is it too early to brush my child’s teeth?” Here’s the good news: It’s never too early to start your child’s oral health routine!
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day to help ward off cavities and keep your smile bright and healthy. An easy schedule to maintain for teeth brushing is once in the morning and once at night. Starting this habit early helps little ones learn the importance of spending time in front of the sink to keep their smile nice and clean.
What Age Should Children Begin Brushing Their Teeth?
Your child’s first tooth should erupt around 6 months of age. As soon as their first tooth comes in, you can begin brushing their teeth and cleaning along the gum lines to jumpstart your child’s lifetime of healthy smiles. Once your child can properly spit, they can begin brushing their teeth on their own. Monitor your child as they brush to ensure they aren’t swallowing an excessive amount of fluoridated toothpaste.
What is the Right Toothbrush and Toothpaste for My Child?
Baby teeth are just as important as permanent teeth when it comes to your child’s dental health. Choosing the right toothpaste and toothbrush is an important part of building a dental care routine.
Begin brushing your child’s teeth as an infant with an infant-sized toothbrush. At this age, simply use warm water to clean their teeth to help them avoid swallowing fluoride toothpaste. After approximately 18 months of age, begin using a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Many brands carry a child-friendly, low-fluoride toothpaste as a safe option for young children.
For children 3 years of age and older, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is appropriate for cleaning their smiles as more baby teeth come in. At this age, continue to help your child develop great dental habits to ensure they are properly brushing and maintaining a great oral health regimen.
Flossing
Flossing may take a little extra practice, but it is just as important to start at a young age. Cleaning between your teeth with dental floss removes food particles and plaque buildup from forming, ultimately decreasing the risk of cavities.
You can easily assist your child with flossing with dental floss until they get the hang of it. Parents can also provide pre-threaded flossers or water flossers to help get in those hard-to-reach places. Remember, continue to floss your teeth regularly to set an example for healthy smiles!
For Tips, Contact Wild Smiles Children’s Dentistry to Schedule an Appointment with a Licensed Pediatric Dentist!
Our team is here for you! If you have questions about helping your child take care of their smile, schedule an appointment today and make Wild Smiles Children’s Dentistry your dental home.
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