As a family-owned and operated dental practice, we know how important it is to ensure that children are raised with good oral hygiene habits. While we’re very much aware that toddlers can be a handful, there are some handy tricks that you can use to encourage them to play an active part in their dental care routine from the very beginning.
Good dental hygiene starts before there are even teeth in your baby’s mouth! Before teething, your baby’s gums can be wiped down with a soft, damp cloth to clear away any traces of bacteria. This will help to ensure that the baby’s gums are healthy when teething starts. Additionally, brushing the gums can help to relieve teething pain – a benefit to both your baby and you! Once your baby has started teething, you can begin to brush their teeth gently with a baby toothbrush. It’s very important to use a toothbrush specifically designed for infants, as it will be smaller and softer and won’t hurt your child.
Once your child has teeth, even just one, it’s time to start bringing them to the dentist.
There are multiple benefits to starting dentist visits early in your child’s life. Getting them comfortable with the dentist from the very beginning will help to ensure that it’s not a scary or uncomfortable experience for them. Bringing your children to your dentist appointments can also help them to gain confidence in the process – they’ll see you in the dentist’s chair and quickly learn that they have nothing to fear. At Smile Speciality Dental Group, we love to treat the littlest patients, believing that an early entry into the world of dental hygiene will stand them in excellent stead in the future.
A further benefit to beginning dentist visits early in your child’s life is that we will be able to advise you on the best way to care for your child’s teeth going forward. We can assist in demonstrating gentle brushing techniques as well as giving you some handy tips on things like painless flossing between tiny teeth. Additionally, the earlier we start to see your child, the earlier we can pick up on any potential issues, which means we can start treatment without delay. Early intervention leads to better oral health outcomes as your child grows up.
Once your child can play a role in their own dental care, encouraging their enthusiastic participation is crucial in building life-long habits. There are a few simple things you can do to make dental care a bit more exciting and involving for your child.
Allow your kid to choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste (child-friendly, obviously!) – selecting a favourite colour or flavour can help to get them excited about using their shiny new dental tools. Encourage your child to watch your dental care routine and talk to them about the benefits of maintaining good oral hygiene. Being a role model for good dental care habits will help to instill these habits in your child. Brush your teeth when your child does to lead by example and demonstrate the proper way to brush and floss. Incentivise brushing and flossing by implementing a reward system or make a game out of brushing for a full two minutes by using music or a countdown timer. If you make dental care fun, your child is far less likely to resist toothbrushing or flossing.
At Smile Speciality Dental Group, we recommend bringing your child in for a check-up at least every six months, starting from the time they get their first tooth. We will conduct a thorough examination and check-up not only of your child’s teeth but also their gums and jaw to ensure that everything is developing as it should. If we spot any possible problem areas, we will develop a unique treatment plan specific to your child’s needs.
To find out more about our children’s dentistry services, please have a look here.
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