Good dental hygiene is a sum of many parts. In turn, teaching and instilling healthy habits among preschool-aged and other young children is also a team effort. Your kids deserve the best start possible.
Our dentists at Esquire Dental Centres, Drs Amir and Mark Awadalla, partner with parents and caregivers in Pickering, North York, Scarborough, and across southern Ontario. Together, we support the many positive factors that add up to a lifetime of attractive and healthy smiles — from a tooth-friendly diet to proper, consistent brushing and flossing techniques.
Habits to nurture
Oral health is tied to systemic health. So, when we protect children’s mouths from threats, we protect the “rest of them,” too.
The biggest threats to oral health include dental decay and gum (periodontal) disease. The best habits to prevent the decay and infection that leads to the need for early tooth removal or costly restorative care include:
- Daily, thorough home care “supervised” by you!
- Routine professional care at one of our dental centres
Let’s start with home care. By integrating brushing and flossing naturally into children’s daily activities, these behaviours become like second nature. There is no resistance to doing them, and they may even become enthusiastic participants.
In fact, leading global organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggest incorporating “fun” into the act. For instance, each night, establish a pattern of first brushing and flossing (as needed, depending on your child’s stage of development). Then, sit down with them for a bedtime story of their choice or one of their all-time favourites. Be sure to also “role model” good brushing and flossing behaviours when caring for your teeth and gums.
Generally, as soon as your child’s first baby tooth erupts through the gums (typically at around the 6-month mark), you will begin taking care of those baby teeth that are so essential to oral development and overall development.
Partly, they “guide” the placement of permanent teeth later in childhood. And, even before a tooth is visible in the mouth, removing food debris and bacteria from your little one’s gums is imperative. These lingering substances promote the development of harmful plaque and corrosive acids.
Starting at around three (roughly preschool age), you will apply a smear of toothpaste to the appropriate child-sized toothbrush. At this stage, use no more than a pea-sized amount. No worries if your child obviously doesn’t like the taste of a particular fluoride toothpaste! Experiment with other flavours. They may end up looking forward to the taste and, accordingly, the act of brushing! Be sure to monitor your child to ensure they are not eating the toothpaste. You will need to guide this habit until your child is at least six to eight years old and has developed proper motor skills.
Book an Appointment
Professional care from your friends at Esquire Dental Centres!
It is generally advised that parents start to bring their children to the dentist’s office as soon as the first tooth comes in but by no later than their first birthday.
Our dentists, along with our kind and skilled team, advise on many of the behaviours mentioned above, including:
- The right oral care products for your child at each stage of life
- How to properly clean the teeth and gums; for example, a moist cloth works well to manage bacterial overgrowth among infants with no teeth
- Nutritional guidance to fuel a healthy mouth; any sugary or starchy foods are best avoided or limited as they combine with bacteria to create plaque and acids that eat away at the teeth and supportive soft and hard tissues
Additionally, as children get older, we can recommend professional preventive products and services like dental sealants and protective mouthguards (for those young athletes in your life!). Schedule an appointment at our Pickering, ON office to find out more about methods to keep your child’s smile healthy from the get-go. Our practice can be reached at 905 250-1605 today.
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