Starting good dental practices early is one of the easiest ways to prevent any nasty infections. Teeth reflect overall body health and can affect body health too, as untreated dental infections have been linked to strokes and heart disease in adulthood. The good news is, it’s really simple to look after your kid’s teeth and the key is in establishing a routine in children from an early age.

Why is it important for children to have healthy teeth?

It’s important for everyone to have healthy teeth, not just children. But, teeth are needed for speech and pronunciation, which could cause problems for children if they are learning how to speak. If their teeth are decaying and need removal, it could not only hinder their confidence but also their progress when learning how to speak.

Also, brushing your teeth prevents any plaque build-up which can cause gingivitis and gum disease. By following proper dental health habits from an early age, you’re reducing the risk of suffering from serious problems with teeth and gums in the future.

Keeping your child’s teeth healthy

There are many easy steps you can take to make sure your child’s teeth are in prime condition:

1. Start early! Clean your child’s teeth when they start to grow their baby teeth.
2. Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps rebuild enamel, prevent any tooth decay and stop harmful bacteria from growing inside your child’s mouth.
3. Brush their teeth twice a day, for two minutes a day.
4. A diet of fruit and crunchy vegetables will also help keep your child’s teeth healthy.
5. Checkups with a dentist can put your mind at rest as your child’s teeth are being monitored.

How should children brush?

Children should brush like adults, twice a day, for two minutes a day. Applications like Brush DJ let you pick a song from your playlist, and it will play two minutes of it. This makes brushing fun as your little one will enjoy brushing their teeth to their favourite song. Children under three years of age should use a rice-sized blob of toothpaste. Teach them the key components of brushing, like the fact they need to spit the toothpaste rather than swallow it. Wait until their teeth are grown to start introducing mouthwash and flossing into their routine.

When and how should they floss?

Children should only begin flossing when their teeth are grown enough to touch each other. When at least two teeth touch, then flossing should be introduced into their routine, even get them to floss with you! Flossing under the age of three is not recommended, but if you’re not sure contact your dentist for more advice. 

Flossing is so easy when you know how. Start by wrapping a piece of floss around your middle fingers – make sure your child doesn’t wrap it too tight. Then guide the floss up and down between each tooth. Make sure to gently slide the floss under the gum line too as plaque often builds up here. Also, remember to bin your floss and get a fresh piece every time you go in between two teeth. 

What issues can arise if children’s teeth are not kept clean?

We’ll start with the most obvious one – bad breath. If children don’t brush their teeth properly, particles of food are left in the mouth which then build up and break down slowly, as they are not being removed by a toothbrush.

Food particles can get stuck between teeth and under the gum line. The mouth reacts to these stuck particles by creating acids to naturally break down the food. These acids can actually be pretty detrimental to the health of your teeth as they damage the enamel. If the enamel becomes damaged, then cavities can form and this can be extremely painful.

Plaque buildup is also another issue that can occur if children’s teeth aren’t kept clean. Bacteria, combined with leftover food particles and saliva hardens into tartar after about 24-36 hours. This then has to be professionally cleaned by your dentist in order to remove it. So, the only way to prevent this is by flossing every day.

How often do children need to visit the dentist?

As mentioned, there is a lot you can do as a parent to keep your child’s teeth in prime condition, but there comes a point where professional dental help is needed. The suggested first dentist appointment is usually around your child’s first birthday. This way, any problems can be picked up and monitored early. If after reading this, you’ve got more questions about looking after your child’s teeth, your dentist will be able to give you more information and advice.

How to teach children good dental hygiene practices?

The best way to get into good dental practice is by normalising going to the dentist. Playing the role of a dentist can be fun for both you and your child. The key is to keep a routine and introduce tooth brushing early. Making sure you keep things fun is the best way to make teeth brushing exciting.

Are there teeth whitening options available for children?

It’s advised that you should not use any type of whitening product on your child if they still have their baby teeth. However, when their adult teeth grow in, teeth whitening is generally safe for children to use. Like everything, the risk factor is still there as methods like whitening strips tend to contain a high amount of hydrogen peroxide which can cause tooth sensitivity if used too frequently or for too long. Always speak to your dentist before using any over the counter products to double-check that they are safe for your child.

Don’t ignore the importance of keeping your child’s teeth healthy

The importance of looking after your child’s teeth should not be underestimated. By looking after your kids’ teeth, you’re also looking after their entire well-being. Although it’s a cliche, a happy mouth really does equal a happy body (and child), and this comes from establishing a great dental hygiene routine early.