Encouraging Good Oral Health for Your Children

At Vestal Dental Associates, we take the dental health of the children that come through our office doors very seriously.  Our dentists and staff know that we represent the key source of encouragement and information that will impact the oral health of our young patients long into their future.  It is our single goal with our young patients to educate them in how important their oral health is while also showing them how fun a trip to the dentist can be.

As they reach elementary or middle school age, their adult teeth begin to come in and your child will start to transition into taking care of their teeth themselves.  During this time the education process becomes even more important.

How You can Encourage Proper Dental Health at Home

Oftentimes, parents make the assumption that just because their child has reached middle school age, they no longer need supervision in their oral care.  While we hope that a good foundation has been laid at this point in their lives, we find this is not often the case.  Sometimes children need a reminder of how important it is to take care of their teeth, just as we sometimes do as adults.  Below are some tips and tools you can use at home to reinforce proper dental health.

1. Emphasize How Important Healthy Gums Are
   It is recommend, both for adults and children, to brush your teeth in a circular motion starting at the gum line.  This circular motion brushes plaque away from the gum line which is often where oral health problems originate from.  Getting them in this good habit early on is critical for long-term gum health.
    
2. Utilize the 2-2 Rule for Brushing
   The 2-2 rule is a simple way to remember to brush your teeth 2 times a day for at least 2 minutes at a time.  This simple rule is easy for kids to remember and applies not only for children, but works as a good reminder for adults as well.  In the beginning, it is a good idea to set a timer so your child will get a good idea of how long 2 minutes really is until it becomes second nature to them.
    
3. Give them all the Right Tools
   The start of good oral health begins with having the right tools for the job.  Fluoride, toothpaste, floss and a tooth brush less than three months old are all a great place to start.  Brushing with the same toothbrush for long periods of time can result in a toothbrush full of germs that can result in tooth decay or infection.  Also remember that fluoride is especially important at this age to promote strong, healthy teeth, especially if you’re on well water which lacks this important mineral.

Bring them into Vestal Dental for a Pediatric Visit

It is important to remember that even if you child has all the right tools and techniques, there will still be difficult to reach plaque that only specialized tools can remove.  During their routine cleaning we can assess how the child is progressing with their at-home routine and we’ll be sure they leave our office with teeth that are as clean as possible.  Their visit to a pediatric dentist also allows their teeth to be checked for early signs of tooth decay or infection.  Schedule your child’s visit today.