With back to school, it’s no better time than to understand the oral hygiene of your teething babies to chewing toddlers. Babies, toddlers and children all need a little guidance to effectively maintain their oral hygiene and getting the most effective routine to do that is important to future oral health!
Starting with routine, your child should start to visit the dentist from the age of 1-2 so they can familiarize themselves with the dental chair and equipment used. After that, every 6 to 12 months your child should visit to make sure their oral hygiene is well and to prevent any problems in the future!
At what age is oral hygiene important?
From infancy! From a young age it is important to set the foundation. Our recommendations are from infancy, wipe gums gently with a wet washcloth. When starting solid foods use a finger brush and gently rub around the gums and incoming teeth. When more teeth appear, start using a finger brush with a small amount of toothpaste with fluoride, then teach them how to brush their teeth using a toothbrush. After your child brushes, it is recommended to brush them also.
Perfecting the routine:
Perfecting the routine can be the hardest part, here are some tips and tricks to get success
- Encourage and let your child brush their own teeth while supervising or brushing with them at the same time. Follow up with them and finalize brushing until around the age of 7.
- Use a timer app, favourite song or physical timer to teach your child the importance of brushing for 2 minutes.
- Teach your child the importance of flossing also. This can be done by showing them in the mirror as well as assisting them until they can do it themselves.
- Using fun toothbrushes and flavored toothpastes with fluoride is another great way to encourage an oral hygiene routine.
- Finally, keep up with regular check-ups and cleans at your dentist.
