Teaching Your Child Proper Dental Care

Teaching your child proper dental care in their younger years is an investment in their health that will pay off in their latter years. Start by setting an example; taking good care of your own teeth sends a message that oral health is something to be valued.

To help your child protect their teeth and gums, teach them to these simple habits:

• Brushing twice a day to remove plaque-the sticky film on teeth that’s the main cause of tooth decay.
• Flossing daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and under the gum line, before it can harden into tartar. Once tartar has formed, it can only be removed by a professional cleaning.
• Eat a well-balanced diet that limits starchy or sugary foods, which produce plaque acids that cause tooth decay.
• Use dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpaste.
• Take your child to the dentist for regular checkups.

Supervising your children until they get the hang of these steps may be a good idea:

• Use a pea-sized dab of toothpaste. Teach your child not to swallow the toothpaste.
• Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, brush the inside surface of each tooth first, where plaque may accumulate most. Brush gently back and forth.
• Clean the outer surfaces of each tooth. Angle the brush along the outer gumline. Gently brush back and forth.
• Brush the chewing surface of each tooth. Gently brush back and forth.
• Use the tip of the brush to clean behind each front tooth, both top and bottom.
• Don’t forget to brush the tongue.