Protecting your child's smile starts with a good oral hygiene routine, and of course, regular visits to University Dental Care, the family and pediatric dentistry practice in University City, MO. Dr. Samir Ruvinov, Dr. Alan Mundhenke, and Dr. Sable Muntean not only help your child maintain a healthy smile but can offer a few tips for parents that will make brushing and flossing easier.
Early brushing and flossing sets the foundation for your child's oral care routine
Oral care should start before your child's first tooth appears. Gently wiping the gums with a damp washcloth or piece of gauze removes plaque from the gums. Plaque contains bacteria and is a factor in tooth decay. Once the first tooth appears, brush it with a rice-sized grain of toothpaste placed on a soft, child-sized toothbrush. Begin flossing as soon as two teeth erupt next to each other.
Starting oral care early not only reduces your child's risk of cavities but also makes oral hygiene just another part of your son or daughter's daily routine.
Some things to keep in mind
Children may not have the motor skills it takes to floss and brush independently until they're about 7. Until then, you may need to offer a little help if needed.
Scheduling consistent brushing and flossing times makes it much harder to forget about these important activities. Children and adults should brush twice each day and floss once. If your child struggles to use floss or a toothbrush, an electric toothbrush or water-powered flosser may offer a good solution.
Brushing won't do much good if your child races through his or her oral hygiene routine or doesn't brush long enough. The longer your child brushes, the more plaque will be removed. In fact, two minutes is the ideal brushing time, according to the American Dental Association.
You can make oral hygiene more fun for your child by:
- Playing music or a favorite video for two minutes while your child brushes
- Letting your child select his or her own toothbrush the next time you visit a University City store
- Choosing a kid-approved toothpaste flavor (Many children find mint toothpaste uncomfortable.)
Keep your child's smile healthy with good oral hygiene and pediatric dentistry visits to University Dental Care in University City, MO, Call Dr. Samir Ruvinov, Dr. Alan Mundhenke, and Dr. Sable Muntean at (314) 260-9800 to schedule an appointment for your child.