Oral hygiene is something that we all have to be mindful of, especially for kids. As a parent, it’s your job to help establish good dental habits for your children so that they can have a beautiful, healthy smile through all the stages of their life.
Our team of expertly trained pediatric and family dentists at Dentist of Long Beach will make your child feel comfortable—and even excited—about their routine dental visits!
It’s not uncommon for people to separate oral and general health, but the two are more connected than you may realize. For example, poor dental hygiene is often connected with other health problems because of the bacteria in the mouth.
Our mouths actually need bacteria to stay healthy, but it’s a delicate balance.
Too much bacteria can lead to lowered immunities and respiratory problems because they travel down into the rest of the body. But, of course, this can also lead to dental issues like cavities, tooth loss, and gum disease.
Fortunately, committing yourself, and helping your children commit to good oral hygiene practices can prevent these problems and enhance their overall health.
Creating an oral healthcare routine is critical to instilling good oral hygiene in your child. That’s why you must start them on this path as early as possible. While it is possible to form new habits as they age, it’s much easier for them to maintain good dental hygiene into their teen and adult years if it’s something they’ve always done.
Children should be brushing their teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. They should also get in the habit of flossing once a day or more if necessary. For the best oral hygiene, try to have them brush their teeth after they’ve eaten. This is especially true if they’ve consumed any sugary treats or drinks.
It’s important to note, however, that there is a right and wrong way to brush.
Your child should brush their teeth gently in four quadrants, ensuring that every tooth gets thoroughly cleaned. They should also use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent damage to the tooth enamel.
Visiting Dentist of Long Beach for routine appointments can help your child learn correct brushing techniques and understand the importance of proper oral hygiene. We’ll even give them a soft-bristle toothbrush to get them started!
You’re probably already aware of the damages that sugar can cause to teeth, but this is something we can’t stress enough.
Not only does it negatively affect their overall health, but sugar increases the bacteria in the mouth, which leads to more plaque build-up. That’s why your child should avoid too many sugary foods and drinks as much as possible.
Outside of brushing and flossing their teeth, going to routine dental visits, and avoiding sugary foods and drinks, there are a few other bad habits to look out for.
Make sure they don’t chew on ice cubes, pencils, fingernails, and other objects that could spread bacteria and damage their teeth. It’s also important to store their toothbrushes separately from yours, with the bristles facing up. This will further prevent the spread of bacteria.
Get Your Child Started on the Path to Good Oral Hygiene Early With Dentist of Long Beach.
Call us at (562) 373-0026 to schedule your child’s exam and cleaning today!
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