It’s important to start building healthy habits with your children at a young age. Your child should visit the doctor at least once a year, but did you know they should do the same with their dentist? Your child’s oral care can have a great impact on their overall health. So how can you start a healthy dental care routine with your children?

Consistency is best when helping a child adapt to a new routine. Just like any other routine, caring for your teeth requires consistency. A child’s oral care needs will change as they age. For example, an infant should not be expected to brush their teeth with adult toothpaste. Even though your child might not have teeth just yet, you should still create a routine for them.

Your child will not start to show teeth until they are around six months old. Despite not having teeth, there are still things you can do to care for their oral health. After feedings, you can take a warm damp washcloth and wipe their gums. This removes any leftover milk and possible bacteria. Once your child starts to show signs of teething, know that teeth are on their way. Once their teeth begin coming in, you can start gently brushing their teeth. Use a soft-bristle brush and less than a pea-size drop of toothpaste. You can find a variety of toothpaste safe for children of various ages.

By the time your child reaches one year old, they should see a dentist for their first appointment! It is recommended to schedule their first appointment after their first tooth erupts, or by their first birthday. The dentist will take an overall look at their teeth to check and make sure everything looks right.

As your child grows, so will their teeth! You’ll notice in the early childhood years more teeth will start to come in, which means more brushing. This is a great time to start teaching your child how to brush once in the morning and right before bed. You should show your child how to brush their teeth and assist in any way. As stated before, make sure to use fluoride child toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush to keep their teeth healthy. In addition, be sure to visit your dentist once a year so they can keep up with your child’s progress.

Children typically begin to lose their first tooth around the age of five and six. This is a great time to talk to your children about what happens when they lose their teeth. It is something they’ve never experienced before so it’s important to talk about it. At this age, they might begin to feel or want to be more independent with their brushing. This is perfectly normal and encouraged, just check after they brush to ensure they got everything.

As your children continue to grow, the importance of their dental hygiene does too. It’s important to create a consistent routine to ensure the health of both their gums and teeth! To learn more about children and their dental care, contact South Holston Dental. At South Holston, we offer a variety of services including general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and more! To schedule an appointment you can visit us online here today.

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