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Home / Articles / Family Fun / Getting Kids to Brush Their Teeth

Getting Kids to Brush Their Teeth

October 28, 2019 By Michelle Yannaco

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Kids have a long history of disliking dental care, which can frustrate parents, who know the importance of proper dental hygiene. While many youngsters may never excitedly run to the bathroom to brush their teeth, there are various approaches to get kids to embrace proper dental care.

• Start early. Begin cleaning kids’ teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. The earlier dental care is part of a child’s routine, the more likely he or she is to accept it as part of everyday life. Dr. Mark Padilla, from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends using a soft-bristled brush with a small head. Ideally, use a toothbrush designed for infants, brushing teeth once per day at bedtime. The AAPD advises taking kids to visit a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than the child’s first birthday. Parramatta dental services offer you brand-new, modern facilities that offer the latest advancements in dentistry.

• Make it a group effort. Young children love to imitate their parents’ actions and behaviors, so use that adoration to your advantage by making teeth-brushing a family activity. Get down on kids’ level and show them how to brush. If kids are resistant, divert their attention with conversation while brushing so they don’t even realize they’re cleaning away.

• Involve kids in choosing their dental care products. While always sticking with products recommended by your child’s pediatric dentist, let youngsters choose their toothbrush and toothpaste. Kids might prefer a particular flavor of toothpaste, and a colorful toothbrush with a favorite film or television character might make kids more enthusiastic and less fussy about brushing. This site will give you updates on the advanced dental care and treatment.

• Don’t forget flossing! Soft, sticky foods are commonplace in young kids’ diets, and these can promote decay. Even well-intentioned gummy vitamins can be sources of dental decay. But How to Avoid Tooth Decay? Oftentimes, these foods become lodged between the teeth or on the surface of molars. If left in contact with the teeth for too long, food particles become a source of carbohydrates for oral bacteria, and cavities may appear as a result.

To remove food particles from between the teeth, children must floss, advises the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists. Parents should check out some good brands and help young children to floss since the dexterity required to wind the floss around little fingers and then thoroughly clean the teeth may be discouraging. There are children’s flossing helpers with handles to make back teeth more accessible and promote more effective flossing.

Kids who shy away from flossing may be more likely to use a children’s water flosser. In lieu of string floss, a water flosser uses a pressurized stream of water to dislodge food from between teeth. Although a water flosser may be more messy, children may enjoy the opportunity to “play” with water and the cleaning sensation provided.

• Compliment kids after positive dental appointments. When pediatric dentist appointments go well, compliment children and express your pride in them for taking dental hygiene as seriously as they do.

Looking for a local pediatric dentist? Visit our directory here. 

Filed Under: Family Fun

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