Ages and Stages: Oral Health Care for Kids

Even from an early age, it’s important to help your children develop good oral health habits. Because oral health has a direct impact on overall wellness, you want to make sure your kids protect their teeth and gums. With the right care, your kids can enjoy beautiful, vibrant smiles for life. These tips will give you valuable information so that you can keep your children’s smiles looking their best.

Infancy

As soon as your child’s first tooth comes in, you should begin a home care routine. Gently clean baby teeth with a soft cloth or baby toothbrush and water. Around age two, you can use a little bit of training toothpaste. Don’t use toothpaste with fluoride at this point because it can lead to spots on teeth from too much fluoride.

Early Childhood

Though most kids like to brush on their own by four or five, children don’t have the dexterity for adequate teeth cleaning until about seven years old. Until then, allow your child to brush first and then you can follow up afterward. This is a good time to create the habit of twice daily brushing.

Tween Years

By this point, your kids probably lead busy lives. Continue to promote good habits with brushing two times a day and healthy eating. Kids model what they see, so if you choose fruits vegetables, and lean protein, they will likely follow your lead.

Adolescence and Beyond

Peer pressure contributes to decision making at this age, so use this fact to your advantage. Remind your kids that brushing and flossing will keep their smiles looking good and their breath smelling fresh. Many teens wear braces, so explain the importance of brushing and flossing during orthodontic treatment.

Elegance Family Dentistry in Newport Beach, CA – Shahram Salimy DDS