Developing a strong dental routine as a child can help a patient avoid dental problems in adulthood. Our Toluca Lake dentists help children understand that importance of oral hygiene, and we provide parents and pediatric patients the recommendations that they need to optimize their oral hygiene routines.
Here are some things that you can encourage your child to do, in order to help him or her achieve oral health.
1. Floss!
Many children don’t floss, because it takes some time, and parents see it as tedious. However, flossing is really important to the health of your child’s smile. You want to encourage your child to floss once a day, so that he/she:
· Removes plaque from those hard to reach spots between teeth
· Gets into the habit of flossing—help you child establish this good habit early in life!
2. Drink plenty of water
We all know that sugary drinks—sodas as well as juices—can lead to cavities and gum disease. Replace these drinks with water whenever possible. You also want to encourage water consumption that your children are able to produce enough saliva. Saliva is an amazing, natural bacteria neutralizer.
3. Brush thoughtfully
You can also help your child perfect his/her technique for brushing his/her teeth. Your child should brush for at least two minutes, moving the toothbrush in small circular motions over the front and back of the smile. Your child doesn’t need to apply very much pressure in order to achieve results—in fact, too much pressure can thin enamel and cause gum tissue recession.
Our Toluca Lake family dentists are your partners in dental care. We know that it can be difficult to get your children to brush and floss effectively, so please know that we are here to help! Give us a call to get started.