• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Call us (501) 683-8886 Send email info@arkansasfamilydental.com

Arkansas Family Dentistry

Schedule an Appointment New Patient?
  • About
    • Meet Us
      • Doctors
      • Hygienists
      • Assistants
      • Front Desk
    • New Patient
    • What to Expect
    • Join the Team
    • Our Mission
    • Blog
  • Services
    • Family Dentistry
    • Dental Emergencies
    • Dental Savings Plan
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Botox
    • Ortho
  • Patient Resources
    • Patient Portal
    • Refer a Patient
    • Post-Operation Care
    • Dental Emergencies
    • Dental Savings Plan
    • FAQ
    • Payment Options
  • Contact
A father flosses his teeth with his son to show the boy the importance of flossing.

June 18, 2019

Teaching Good Oral Hygiene Practices to your Child

As a parent, your child’s health is a top priority, and oral hygiene is no exception. Here is an overview of which oral hygiene practices are essential for children and how to get your kids to actually do them.

When should I start brushing my child’s teeth? 

As soon as your child’s first tooth comes in, it should be brushed. In fact, good oral health begins even before the first tooth appears. This breakdown helps to care for your children’s teeth as they grow. 

Just the gums

Before your baby’s teeth come in, you can keep their mouths free of harmful bacteria by running a clean, damp washcloth over their gums. 

First teeth

Once your baby’s teeth start coming in, you can brush them with an infant toothbrush, water, and a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice). 

First flossing

You can begin flossing a baby’s teeth as soon as they touch. 

Spit it out

Toddlers around age 2 should learn to spit during and after brushing to prevent swallowing too much toothpaste. 

Your kids’ daily teeth routine

Kids, like adults, should follow a daily dental routine. For the most part, it is not much different than yours. It is also important that your children use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. 

Brush teeth at least twice a day, after breakfast and before bed. If possible, consider brushing after every meal. This helps clean away plaque buildup. If you are still holding the toothbrush for them, you can ask your dentist to demonstrate the best brushing techniques. 

Your kids should also brush for 2 to 3 minutes every time, use a toothbrush with soft bristles, and floss daily.

When to take your child to the dentist

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children should start going to the dentist by age 1 or within 6 months of the baby’s first tooth. 

5 fun ways to get your child to brush their teeth

If you are a parent, then you likely already know that it is not easy getting your child to brush their teeth twice a day. Here are a few tips to make brushing more fun. 

1. Let them choose their own toothbrush.

Everyone loves a present, right? Let your child choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste, and they might treat it like a cherished toy. Toothbrushes for kids often come in fun colors with superheroes and princesses on them.

2. Encourage brushing with positive feedback.

Like any good behavior, it is important to notice and encourage good brushing habits. Children thrive on positive feedback from the adults in their lives. Tell them they should be proud of their good dental care. If you feel comfortable with it, try a reward system, where your child receives a sticker or a present for good brushing habits. 

3. Make a routine.

Routines help children to be successful. Once your child recognizes that tooth brushing a part of their day, every day, they will fight it less. 

4. Brush your teeth together.

Brushing teeth together as a family can be a fun way to encourage healthy brushing habits. 

5. Check for sensitivity or discomfort

Sometimes kids do not want to brush, because they simply do not like it. Other times, however, they don’t want to brush, because they experience discomfort. 

Observe your child as they brush their teeth. If they seem to be in pain or discomfort, ask questions, and take a trip to the dentist if it feels warranted. It could be something as minor as a cavity that could be easily fixed. 

Why is fluoride so important?

Flouride is the best way to prevent cavities. It works by protecting the enamel on your teeth, or the hard, outer layer of your tooth that protects it and keeps it strong. However, it is constantly being worn down by acid that is produced by your body when you eat sugars. When it gets worn down too much, it causes cavities to form. 

For more information

Help your child develop dental habits that could last a lifetime. For more information, contact Arkansas Family Dental today 501-683-8886. 

Filed Under: Dental Health - Children

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Our Services

  • Botox
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Dental Emergencies
  • Dental Sealants
  • Family Dentistry
  • Fluoride Treatments
  • Hygiene Services
  • Laser Treatments
  • Nightguard
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Ortho
  • Restorative
  • Root Canals
  • Snoring Devices

Footer

About

  • Our Mission
  • Payment Options
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

Services

  • Family Dentistry
  • Emergency
  • Cosmetic
  • Restorative

Resources

  • Patient Portal
  • Patient Resources
  • Post-Operation
  • FAQ
  • Videos

Enter your email address to sign up for our newsletter.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Footer Middle Row

Location

13600 David O. Dodd Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72210

Contact

(501) 683.8886
webinfo@arkansasfamilydental.com

Hours

Mon - Thurs: 7:30 AM - 7 PM
Fri: 7:30 AM - 4 PM

Copyright © 2023 Arkansas Family Dental All Rights Reserved

Follow Us