Q&A About Your Child’s Dental Health

Children's Dental Hygiene Month

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! We use every day as an opportunity to talk to your child about their dental hygiene, but we want to highlight a few questions that you may have.

Getting your child to recognize the importance of dental hygiene at an early age is important because it leads to great adulthood habits. So, let’s talk about a few things that you may not know about your child’s dental health!

Dental Habits Carry

How should I brush my child’s teeth? 

Your child should brush their teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once after dinner or before bedtime. Your child should be brushing the inside, outside, top, and bottom of their teeth. Your child only needs a small, pea-sized amount of toothpaste to brush their teeth. If your child is 2-years-old or younger, they only need a tiny amount of toothpaste, the size of a grain of rice. Children who are 5-years-old or older can use toothpaste the size of a bean.

When should I take my child to the dentist?

At iGrin, we typically see children for their first dental appointment right after their first birthday. This appointment will get your child established and will make sure their teeth are developing properly. For more information about your child’s first dental health visit, you can read about it on our website.

child start brushing their teeth

When should my child start brushing their teeth?

Each child is different, so there is no set age for your child to start brushing their teeth. If they are able, it is good to have them learn how to do it themselves. You can monitor and help them when they need it. It’s always exciting when the parent and child get to the stage where they can brush their teeth independently.

How do I help my child remember to brush and floss?

Your child’s dental health is important, but they are not going to do anything that they don’t want to do. So, you have to make dental hygiene fun rather than seem like a chore. You can make a chart, and each time your child brushes their teeth or flosses, they get a sticker to add to their chart. Make brushing and flossing rewarding! Click here to download a fun chart for your children.

5 ways to brush teeth

  1. Crank up the music and have a two-minute dance party.
  2. Have a set routine that you both stick to every day.
  3. Read stories about brushing your teeth to your child with their favorite character.
  4. Let your child pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste.
  5. Making brushing a family event. They learn from you, so make it something that you do together.

At iGrin Pediatric Dentistry, our goal is to make children love going to the dentist. We want them to share with their friends what they’ve learned and be excited to have great dental hygiene. We can’t wait to see you!

 

 

 

 

 

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