Teaching your children how to brush and floss properly is one of the most important things you can do to ensure healthy habits later on down the road. Unfortunately, many parents don't know how to properly care for their child's teeth or just aren't sure which options to choose.
"As soon as your child's teeth come in, daily brushing and flossing are essential," says Dr. Morin D.D.S, pediatric dentist at Manus Dental "There are hundreds of kids-friendly options that can make brushing and flossing more fun for your kids."
Follow these tips from Dr. Christopher Morin on how to teach your children the proper ways to brush and floss, and help them obtain a healthy, happy smile for life.
1. How long should a child brush for?
Parents should encourage their children to brush for two to three minutes. A helpful hint is to put a timer by the toothbrushes or to have them listen to their favorite song while they're brushing their teeth.
2. How often should children brush their teeth?
Brushing should happen more than once a day. It's especially important to brush right before bed. That eight hours that a child rests is the perfect time for bacteria and enamel-eating acid to set in.
3. When should a child begin flossing?
You should start flossing your child's teeth when two of their teeth are touching one another. When children reach the age of nine, they should be able to floss by themselves.
4. What's the best flossing technique?
With a saw-like motion weave the floss in between each tooth to ensure that plaque and excess foods are removed from between the teeth.
5. When should they start to use fluoride?
Children under the age of 2 should not use fluoride in any toothpaste or rinses. In fact, it's better to error on the side of caution if you are afraid that your child will swallow toothpaste or rinses. Our water also contains fluoride with protects against tooth decay.
6. What are some of the best child-friendly products that I can buy?
Inspector Hector Plaque Detector is a great tool that parents can use to show your children where the plaque is. It's a pre-rinse that is used before your child brushes and the blue tinted liquid stains the areas of the teeth that are plaque ridden. And of course there's always the standard bubble gum flavored toothpaste and fun shaped toothbrushes.
"As soon as your child's teeth come in, daily brushing and flossing are essential," says Dr. Morin D.D.S, pediatric dentist at Manus Dental "There are hundreds of kids-friendly options that can make brushing and flossing more fun for your kids."
Follow these tips from Dr. Christopher Morin on how to teach your children the proper ways to brush and floss, and help them obtain a healthy, happy smile for life.
1. How long should a child brush for?
Parents should encourage their children to brush for two to three minutes. A helpful hint is to put a timer by the toothbrushes or to have them listen to their favorite song while they're brushing their teeth.
2. How often should children brush their teeth?
Brushing should happen more than once a day. It's especially important to brush right before bed. That eight hours that a child rests is the perfect time for bacteria and enamel-eating acid to set in.
3. When should a child begin flossing?
You should start flossing your child's teeth when two of their teeth are touching one another. When children reach the age of nine, they should be able to floss by themselves.
4. What's the best flossing technique?
With a saw-like motion weave the floss in between each tooth to ensure that plaque and excess foods are removed from between the teeth.
5. When should they start to use fluoride?
Children under the age of 2 should not use fluoride in any toothpaste or rinses. In fact, it's better to error on the side of caution if you are afraid that your child will swallow toothpaste or rinses. Our water also contains fluoride with protects against tooth decay.
6. What are some of the best child-friendly products that I can buy?
Inspector Hector Plaque Detector is a great tool that parents can use to show your children where the plaque is. It's a pre-rinse that is used before your child brushes and the blue tinted liquid stains the areas of the teeth that are plaque ridden. And of course there's always the standard bubble gum flavored toothpaste and fun shaped toothbrushes.
