The road to a lifetime of healthy, happy, smiling begins at a young age—even before all of the teeth have arrived! However, children don’t always have things down pat when it comes to routine oral care; some even skip important habits, not knowing that it puts their teeth at risk of unpleasant issues. Continue reading to learn about three dental habits that your child or teen might not be handling themselves; their smile’s future is at stake!
1. Brushing Twice a Day… Especially at Night
Most people have an easier time remembering to brush their teeth in the morning compared to at night after a long day—and children are no different. There’s a chance that if you don’t actively remind them or encourage them to brush at night, they simply won’t. However, even if this only happens once in a while, it still drastically increases the risk of issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Be sure your child isn’t snacking late at night or staying up watching television in favor of tending to their smile; just a couple of minutes each evening (and morning) can make all the difference in the world.
2. Brushing for a Full Two Minutes
Brushing for a full two minutes might feel like forever to a child—but even if they’re brushing twice a day, if they aren’t doing it long enough, their smile isn’t being fully cleaned! Those two minutes help ensure that plaque and food particles are thoroughly removed from every corner of their mouth. You can help your child with this by setting up a timer for them, playing their favorite song as they brush, or by simply standing there and brushing with them.
3. Flossing Every Single Day, No Exceptions
Flossing goes hand-in-hand with brushing, but sadly, many children (and adults) tend to skip this step entirely when tending to their smiles, thinking that their toothbrush can get the job done on its own! However, the truth is that toothbrushes aren’t designed to thoroughly clean those tight spaces between the teeth, but a good flossing session before bed will dislodge most tiny particles that can cause damage and contribute to decay. Children don’t always have an easy time manipulating dental floss, so if your child needs to up their flossing game, consider dental floss sticks or even a Waterpik.
Helping your child to maintain these habits will set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiling. Also, remember that even if you can get your child to brush and floss consistently, they still need to attend these biannual checkups, no exceptions!
About the Practice
Dr. Myles Clancy is a board-certified pediatric dentist and diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and he and our team here at Kids’ Smiles on Lincoln have served families in Worcester for several years, offering a wide range of pediatric dental services for children of all ages. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up an appointment for your child, please reach out online or call today for more information. Telephone: (508) 506-8859.