Better Dental Hygiene Tips For Children

Many people always question whether baby teeth are important and the answer is, yes they are. They serve various functions that contribute to the overall development of your child. For instance, they are important for the development of speech before paving the way for the adult teeth to grow. If you think about it, a good smile can build a child’s social skills as well as their self-confidence.

Most children often suffer from dental cavities but they are actually preventable. Currently, there is an increase in the number of children with dental cavities, especially those between 2 and 5 years of age.  Children who suffer tooth decay might be because they are put to sleep with a full bottle of milk, juice, formula or other sugary drinks (whether or not it’s natural sugar). It can also happen to infants, especially those who go to sleep immediately after taking breast milk.

Although brushing a child’s teeth is a very important task, most parents find it quite frustrating. Well, here are some useful tips to make your child become a good brusher.

•             You Need To Start Early

Before your baby’s teeth have started showing, you should wipe the gums and cheeks with a moist washcloth or dental wipe, especially after every feeding. That way, you can remove the leftover milk or formula. Once your child is used to any oral stimulation, it becomes easier to introduce a toothbrush later on. Here are some tips on how and when to start.

•             Try Two Different Toothbrushes

Many children enjoy brushing their own teeth. Eventually they end up chewing on the toothbrush splaying the bristles. With a second toothbrush, it’s easy to do a thorough brushing. All parents should help their kids brush their teeth until they are at least 6 years of age since they can’t do a thorough job on their own suggest Dr John Fagbemi a dentist from a dental clinic in London, UK.

•             Try A Few Distractions

If your child isn’t interested in brushing his/her teeth, you should find a good distraction such as a story or song. On the other hand, if your child doesn’t like the toothpaste flavor you’re using, you can always change it and make the whole experience interesting.

Disclosure:  This is a contributed post.