How to Care for Your Children’s Teeth at Home (pediatric dentistry tip):

No one likes going to the dentist, especially children who may not yet know what to expect from a day in the dentist’s chair.  The best way you can help your children avoid unnecessary trips to the dentist’s office is to teach them how to take proper care of their teeth in between dental exams.  Here are some guidelines for how to care for your children’s teeth at home:

Brushing.  Be sure to brush your children’s teeth (or have them brush their own teeth) at least twice a day.  Brushing once in the morning after breakfast and once in the evening before bed should suffice, unless your children ingest sticky, sugary foods.  Keep in mind that sugar erodes the protective enamel of teeth, so your children should always brush their teeth after drinking soda or eating sweets.

Flossing.  Few children enjoy flossing, so this important oral hygiene habit often goes by the wayside.  Unfortunately, a tooth brush can’t get into those tight spaces between teeth, so insufficient flossing can lead to painful cavities.  Make it a point to instill in your children the importance of flossing twice a day, right before they brush their teeth.  To incite some enthusiasm for flossing, purchase colorful and/or flavored dental flossers for kids.

Oral rinse.  Have your children rinse their mouths after brushing with a mouthwash formulated specifically for children.  Remind them that a good oral rinse can help them ward of bad breath.  Just be sure that they know how important it is to spit, rather than swallow, their oral rinse.

Inspect regularly.  It takes time to learn how to brush teeth properly, so you should inspect your children’s mouths regularly for signs that they either are or aren’t brushing effectively.  Also, take some time to watch your children brush their teeth so that you can correct any oversights on their part.  For example, you may have to remind your children more than once to slow down and spend ample amounts of time on each part of their mouths.

Oral hygiene is an important part of overall health and well-being, and good oral hygiene habits begin in childhood.  It is important that you care for your children’s oral health now, so that they can develop their own healthy dental habits as adults.  An integral part of your children’s oral upkeep is finding a pediatric dentist in Mukilteo WA area you can trust.  The professionals at Harbour Place Dental in Mukilteo WA go above and beyond when it comes to helping your children maintain optimal oral health.  Give us a call us at (425) 493-8111, visit and contact us through our website www.HarbourPlaceDental.com  or contact us by email: harbourpldental@gmail.com