GUEST BLOG – Elizabeth Ellis, Editorial and Social Media Intern, AboutKidsHealth
To mark Oral Health Month this April, why not brush up on the basics of dental care for your child?
Here are some quick facts from AboutKidsHealth to get you started.
- You can start caring for your child’s dental health long before their first teeth grow in. Simply wipe their gums with a soft, clean, damp cloth after feeding.
- When teeth start to poke through the gums, you can help your child start to clean them with a small toothbrush with soft rounded bristles.
- If your child is under three and not at risk for tooth decay, there is no need to use toothpaste. You can ask your child’s dentist if your child is at risk.
- Once your child is three years old, you can start teaching them the “2 for 2” rule. This means brushing their teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time, while you supervise them.
- It’s enough to use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for children aged between three and six.
Brushing your child’s teeth
Use gentle circles to brush the teeth and clean every surface. Cavities can form on the front, back and top of teeth.
Make sure that you are using a toothbrush that is the right size for your child’s mouth and replace it every three or four months. An ill-fitting brush or one with bent or worn bristles may do a poor job. The best times to brush are in the morning and before bed.
Flossing your child’s teeth
The time to start flossing your child’s teeth is when their back teeth start to touch each other, usually at around age three. Starting flossing at this age will help your child get used to a regular flossing routine when they are older.
Since flossing can be a little challenging for little ones’ fingers, you will probably need to do it for a few years and help your child for a few more. Most children can floss their own teeth without any help by age 10 or 11.
Visiting the dentist
Visits to the dentist need not be scary for your child if they know what to expect and if they see that you’re not afraid. Your child should have their first visit within six months of their first tooth emerging or by the time they are 12 months old, whichever comes first.
If there are no problems with your child’s oral health, it is normally enough for your child to see their dentist every six months. But it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible if your child has:
- throbbing pain
- sharp pain triggered by chewing hot or cold foods
- pain triggered by meals, especially sweet foods.
For more oral health tips this month, take a look at the AboutKidsHealth information on teething and dental care.
Source: SickKids Foundation
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