A Lifetime of Smiles: Establishing Oral Hygiene Habits for Children
Teeth can last a lifetime if you take care of them right—and the best time to start is just as soon as they begin appearing. By establishing good oral hygiene routines for your children right from the start, you’ll give them the best chance of keeping their teeth healthy—forever. Schaefer Dental Group is here to partner with you in Lansing, Michigan.
Tooth decay, which can eventually lead to tooth loss, is actually an infectious disease caused by bacteria. The good news is that tooth decay (caries) is completely preventable. The primary route to good dental health is plaque removal. Plaque is the sticky, whitish film where decay-causing bacteria thrive and produce acids that erode teeth. Effective techniques for plaque removal and decay prevention vary by age:
Babies (Ages 0-2)
- Prevent Early Childhood Caries: Never allow babies to go to sleep with a bottle filled with anything but water. Sugars in formula, milk, or juice can pool around the teeth and feed bacteria.
- First Brushing: Gently brush your baby’s first teeth with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush, using just a thin smear of fluoride toothpaste, at least once a day at bedtime. Before a tooth fully erupts, use a water-soaked gauze pad to clean around the tooth and gums.
- First Dental Visit: Make sure your child has his or her first dental visit by age 1 to learn proper hygiene techniques and get a fluoride recommendation if needed.
Children (Ages 3-12)
- Brushing: Starting at age 3, teach your child to brush with a children’s toothbrush and no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Remember, children will need help until about age 6 to do an effective job.
- Dietary Habits: Place limits on soda and sugary snack consumption. Any sugary treats should come at mealtimes, not in between, to prevent round-the-clock acid attacks.
- Professional Care: At regular, twice-yearly checkups, topical fluoride can be applied. Dental sealants can also be applied to the back teeth (molars) to prevent food and bacteria buildup in hard-to-reach grooves.
Teens (Ages 13+)
- Responsibility: Teens take primary responsibility for day-to-day dental health, including twice-daily brushing and daily flossing.
- Avoid Acidic Drinks: Encourage drinking plenty of water and avoiding soda, sports drinks, and energy drinks, all of which are highly acidic and erode enamel.
- Braces Care: Regular dental visits are particularly important if your teen wears braces, which can make it more difficult to keep teeth clean.
- Lifestyle: Continue to encourage avoiding tobacco and alcohol.
It’s never too soon to help your child develop good oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime.