Improve Your Child’s Brushing and Flossing with These Tips

Most children understand the need for brushing their teeth each morning and evening. Some children have been taught to floss their teeth once a day as well. However, when it comes to children independently taking care of their oral hygiene, there is generally lots of room for improvement.

Careful and thorough brushing and flossing at home are the best ways to avoid tooth decay and developing cavities between dental visits every six months. This lowers the chance of developing oral health problems and requiring treatment. To improve your child’s brushing and flossing in every way possible, here are some important tips.

Brushing Tips

Bacteria can build up in your child’s mouth very quickly, particularly if they consume sugary food and drinks. If bacteria remain on the surface of teeth for long periods of time, it damages the tooth enamel and causes decay.

Excellent brushing habits can eliminate bacteria on your child’s teeth before it has a chance to build up into plaque and tartar. Here are some tips to enhance your child’s tooth-brushing skills:

1. Choose the right toothbrush. Many children’s toothbrushes feature well-known characters and colorful patterns, but it’s important that the bristles are soft and rounded. Be sure to replace their toothbrush when the bristles are worn or every two months.
2. Use toothpaste. Sometimes children will just use water or a tiny amount of toothpaste. The fluoride in toothpaste should be brushed onto the front and back of each tooth, so be sure they use enough.
3. Brush the tongue after the teeth. Oral bacteria can grow on your child’s tongue, just like on their teeth.

Flossing Tips

Regular flossing is an important part of oral health as well. Parents may have to help or oversee their child’s flossing technique at first. Here are some tips for flossing:

1. Floss before brushing teeth. Flossing loosens bacteria and material from between your child’s teeth. Brushing and rinsing then clear it away.
2. Floss each tooth, including the molars in the very back of the mouth.

Brushing and flossing are essential to your child’s preventive oral care. This will help keep their teeth healthy in between dental examinations and cleanings.