the dental medical convergence

Flashing that smile: Top Dental Care Tips for Your Children

As parents, we do everything we can to keep our children healthy, and that includes their dental health. Developing good oral hygiene habits in our children early on not only prevents painful cavities but also sets the foundation for a lifetime of strong, confident smiles.

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Whether your child is just cutting their first tooth or managing their brushing routine, here are some simple and effective dental care tips to keep those pearly whites in tip-top shape.

Whether your child is just cutting their first tooth or managing their brushing routine, here are some simple and effective dental care tips to keep those pearly whites in tip-top shape.

1. Start Early—Even Before the First Tooth

Good oral care begins before teeth even appear. After every feeding, clean your babyf’s gums very gently with a soft, damp cloth. When you see the first tooth jutting out, use water and a small, soft-bristled toothbrush to clean it very gently, two times a day.

Good oral care begins before teeth even appear. After every feeding, clean your baby's gums very gently with a soft, damp cloth. When you see the first tooth jutting out, use water and a small, soft-bristled toothbrush to clean it very gently, two times a day.

2. Use the Right Amount of Toothpaste

  • If your child is under three years, a smear equal to the size of a rice grain will do. 
  • If your child is over three and under six years of age, a pea-sized amount will be just right.

Always supervise brushing to ensure your child doesn’t swallow toothpaste.

If your child is under three years, a smear equal to the size of a rice grain will do. If your child is over three and under six years of age, a pea-sized amount will be just right.

3. Make Brushing and Flossing Fun

Turn oral hygiene into a game or routine your child can enjoy:

  • Your child gets to choose: a toothbrush they fancy, and a flavor of toothpaste they love.
  • A timer or a song can ensure they brush for 2 full minutes.
  • Consider brushing your teeth alongside them — it shows you’re in this fun drill together!
Make Brushing and Flossing Fun

4. Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks

Frequent snacking on sugary treats or sipping juice throughout the day can lead to cavities. Encourage healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, cheese, or yogurt, and keep sugary drink intake to a minimum. Drinking water between meals or rinsing the mouth will wash away the food bits.

Frequent snacking on sugary treats or sipping juice throughout the day can lead to cavities. Encourage healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, cheese, or yogurt, and keep sugary drink intake to a minimum. Drinking water between meals or rinsing the mouth will wash away the food bits.

5. Don’t Skip Flossing

As soon as two teeth touch, it’s time to floss! Flossing accesses places the toothbrush can’t reach, such as spaces between the back teeth, where cavities often form because of the buildup of plaque.

As soon as two teeth touch, it’s time to floss! Flossing accesses places the toothbrush can't reach, such as spaces between the back teeth, where cavities often form because of the buildup of plaque.

6. Visit the Dentist Regularly

Your child’s first dental visit should be scheduled by their first birthday or within 6 months of the appearance of the first tooth. Following that up with routine visits every 6 months will help in identifying issues early and keep your child comfortable with nil or minimal tooth problems.

For severe cases, dentists can apply bonding agents or sealants to exposed areas to block sensitivity.

7. Protect Their Teeth During Sports

For children playing contact sports, a mouthguard is recommended as it can help protect your child’s teeth from injury.  Your dentist will customize options that will maximize comfort and protection.

If you grind or clench your teeth in your sleep, a custom night guard from your dentist can help protect your enamel.

8. Lead by Example

Children learn best by watching and often imitating their parents. Ensure that dental care becomes a family affair — brush and floss together, and talk positively about dental visits to encourage children to tag along with you. When they see you taking care of your teeth, they’ll most probably follow suit.

Children learn best by watching and often imitating their parents. Ensure that dental care becomes a family affair — brush and floss together, and talk positively about dental visits to encourage children to tag along with you. When they see you taking care of your teeth, they’ll most probably follow suit.