What a Pediatric Dentistry Can Teach Your Child About Dental Health

Pediatric dentistry is an essential part of a child's overall health regimen. Typically, a child should begin going to the dentist as soon as their first tooth comes in or when they are a year old. Taking a child to the dentist at an early age helps to instill good oral health habits that they will remember well into adulthood. A pediatric dentist can teach a child a lot about oral healthcare.

What a dentist can teach a child about good oral health

A dentist can teach a child a variety of methods for taking care of the teeth and performing good oral hygiene.

Brushing more than once per day

A dentist teaches children that it is important to brush their teeth more than once per day. Skipping brushing the teeth because the parents are busy or the child is tired is more likely to lead to plaque, tartar, and tooth decay. Children should brush their teeth at least twice per day. Typically, this is done in the morning after breakfast and in the evening before going to bed.

Brushing the proper way

It is not enough to simply brush your teeth. It is also important to brush them properly. For a child, this means using a soft-bristled toothbrush and the proper amount of toothpaste. Children under 3 years old should use an amount equal to the size of a grain of rice. Once a child reaches preschool age, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste should be used.

Flossing teeth properly

In addition to brushing the teeth at least twice per day, it is important to floss at least once per day. This helps to dislodge food that has become stuck between the teeth. When food gets stuck between the teeth and stays there, it develops bacteria, which can then lead to tooth decay and cavities. 

Replacing a toothbrush regularly

Over time, the toothbrush that a child uses will begin to wear down. When the bristles become worn, they are not as effective when a child is brushing their teeth. Additionally, over time, bacteria may begin to grow on the bristles, making it even harder for a child to take care of their teeth properly. For this reason, it is important to replace toothbrushes once every couple of months or so. 

How to keep a child interested in brushing their teeth

It is not enough to know how to brush a child's teeth properly. It is also important to get a child interested in keeping their teeth clean. There are several ways a parent can accomplish this.

First, it is important to let a child brush their own teeth under the parent's supervision. Pediatric dentistry professionals recommend supervising a child until they are about 8 years old. Next, the child should brush their teeth for the recommended amount of time. Timer apps help kids to brush their teeth for the full two minutes that dentists recommend.