Start Your Child’s Oral Hygiene Early

by Harbour Pointe Family Dentistry

published December 20, 2012Last updated March 20, 2024

When it comes to your children’s oral health, you want their visit to the dentist to be comfortable and fun. As your partner in family dentistry near Everett, Dr. Johnson and his fabulous team focus on making your children’s first visit fun and memorable. They will provide your children with a thorough, but very gentle cleaning while making their visit a positive experience.

When your children leave Harbour Pointe Family Dentistry, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene with your children to prevent tooth decay and further tooth damage. In a study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 40% of children will have tooth decay by kindergarten age. Getting tooth decay is five times more common than asthma, which makes practicing oral hygiene habits at an early age more important than ever.

How can you prevent your child from getting tooth decay?

Start oral care early: By the time your child reaches one year of age, he or she should start seeing the dentist. Starting preventative care early will prevent future and complicated restorative procedures, saving you money in the long run.

Brush and floss the minute that first tooth pops up: Start the oral hygiene immediately once you see baby teeth forming. Use an infant toothbrush that is very soft to gently clean the teeth and gums. Until your children can tie their own shoes, be an example of good oral hygiene practice by brushing and flossing your children’s teeth.

Get your child in the habit to brush and floss: Make sure your child brushes twice a day and flosses once a day. Start off by supervising your child brushing and flossing and teaching him or her proper technique. You can even make it a fun experience for them by making it a game to stop the “sugar bugs” from attacking.

Do not give a bottle of juice, milk, or formula before bedtime: If your child drinks these sugary drinks before bed, the bacteria clenches onto your child’s teeth surfaces and starts attacking the teeth. It significantly increases the chances of tooth decay.

Do you have any other advice to keep your child’s teeth clean? Comment below, and share your story.