Getting your child to brush his or her teeth is truly an art form. First off, you have to actually force your child to become compliant with the tooth brushing process and then you, as the parent, have to help them brush in the right way. However, you might not really know the right way to brush teeth in the first place (a common issue for many new parents who fail to brush their own teeth properly). Here's some must-know information about the art of brushing your child's teeth:
- Use a Good Toothbrush: Buying a toothbrush should take some time. You don't just want to grab the cheapest one you see on the shelf. A good toothbrush will have soft nylon bristles that prevent issues with tooth sensitivity, which is a common problem in children--especially once they begin losing their baby teeth. A soft brush will be more soothing, thus making the tooth brushing process less frustrating for them. You also want to be sure that the head of the toothbrush is small enough to fit in your child's mouth.
- Use a Small Amount of Toothpaste: Using a small amount of toothpaste is essential, especially for young children. If too much toothpaste is used, it can cause over-sudsing, which forces the child to spit too early and believe that their toothbrushing process is complete. Plus, if you are using fluoride toothpaste, you don't want your child to feel the need to swallow any of it since that can cause fluoride toxicity and fluorosis.
- Take Two to Three Minutes: The best way to get your child to brush for three minutes straight is to brush your teeth with them. You can even set a timer and reward them if they continue to brush as they should for that whole three minutes. You can even sing a song to prevent them from feeling bored with the process, as well.
- Brush the Tongue: It's a good idea to get your child in the habit of gently brushing their tongue, as well. This removes bacteria that is sitting on the surface and even helps with bad breath. Just be sure that your child is doing this gently so they don't damage the tissue on the tongue.
By understanding the art of brushing your teeth, you can help enforce good dental habits on your children. This ensures that their visits to the pediatric dentist go smoothly and don't lead to any follow-up appointments to rid of cavities. Check out http://www.cretzmeyer.com for more tips on brushing and information about your child's oral health.
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