Proper care of your teeth and gums is vital for your oral health. However, when it comes to getting your kids to brush and floss, you may think it is an uphill battle. It is essential that your children begin brushing and flossing at an early age.
How Early Is Too Early to Brush and Floss?
From the time your baby is born, you will need to keep their mouth as clean as possible. When your newborn has finished feeding, you can use a washcloth to clean their gums. Once your baby has teeth, you should be brushing each of their teeth with baby-safe toothpaste. You will not need to start flossing until your child has teeth that are close together.
When your child reaches the toddler stage, you need to begin teaching them how to brush and floss for themselves. Start by letting your child watch you brush and floss your own teeth. Gradually, you will be able to let your toddler brush their own teeth while you are watching. Flossing teeth will take a little more time for your child to master. You may want to select flossers that are made for children and toddlers. As your child grows and learns to do personal care without help, you will be able to turn over these personal care tasks to them.
Why It Is So Important to Teach Dental Health to Children
The earlier you begin oral care for your child, the more likely they are to have good teeth for life. When children do not care for their teeth, the teeth can become riddled with cavities, which can become painful if they are left untreated. Severe tooth decay can also mean their permanent teeth will come in misshapen or discolored.
You may also think that gum disease is only a disease that adults acquire. However, if children have poor oral care, gum disease can be present in them as young as two or three. Gum disease leads to tooth loss and infections or inflammation throughout the body.
Need advice on caring for the dental health of your child? We can help. Reach out to our office today to make an appointment.
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Dental Blog | Tania Tran, DMD - Grove Street Family Dentistry Dr. Tania Tran has provided this educational blog as a resource for the community. We hope that this blog will cover subjects you may be interested in. Call us! Grove Street Family Dentistry - Tania Tran, DMD, 1533 Grove Street, Marysville, WA 98270-4325; (360) 659-3200; grovestreetdentist.com; 9/9/2024; Associated Words: dentist;
Proper care of your teeth and gums is vital for your oral health. However, when it comes to getting your kids to brush and floss, you may think it is an uphill battle. It is essential that your children begin brushing and flossing at an early age. 