Old or young, your attitudes toward brushing your teeth might not be too different from what you thought as a kid. If it was hard getting yourself to brush your teeth as a child, that’s often a challenge that follows you into adulthood. Brushing your teeth is one of the few habits that you keep life-long. And if you’re a parent, modeling and teaching good oral hygiene can make the difference in your child having an easy or hard time keeping up on their own oral health, even into adulthood. Challenges with oral hygiene are usually a consequence of starting off on the wrong foot, starting with brushing your milk teeth.
Do baby teeth deserve the same care as permanent teeth?
Yes, baby teeth—also known as milk teeth—require the same amount of care as permanent adult teeth. There are two main reasons why it’s crucial for your children to develop healthy oral hygiene habits, starting as early as when baby teeth first erupt.
The longest-lasting reason to start your kids with good oral hygiene habits is psychological. When they’re young, your kids have the best shot at developing habits and attitudes that stick. Brushing teeth is a simple habit that requires very little work, but somehow it can warp into a “to-do” or task that many wish we could skip. This attitude can be completely reframed by starting your kids off with a positive attitude—they don’t “have” to brush their teeth, they “get” to.
Your kids should also start visiting dentist as soon as they have a full mouth of teeth. Starting as early as two years old, consider introducing your child to your family dentist, as regular visits are going to ensure you stay ahead of any problems and also avoid “dentophobia,” the irrational fear of dentists that even many adults have to battle. As a parent, you should explain to your child what to expect from each dentist appointment.
In addition to the psychology of oral health, maintaining healthy milk teeth until naturally replaced by permanent teeth actually primes your child’s jaw for better health and condition of adult teeth. Temporary teeth affect the development of your children’s oral cavity, and also participate in the development of jaw structure (bones, muscles, gums, tongue, etc.). If your child loses milk teeth prematurely, particularly due to decay, it can disrupt the position of adult teeth.
Brushing baby teeth
You’d think brushing baby teeth would be the same as brushing adult teeth—the goal is to clean surfaces and remove excess food and bacteria. There are, however, some modifications in approach that can prime your children to practice the best oral hygiene.
When your baby is less than a year old, it’s recommended to use a piece of gauze. Put the gauze on your finger, soak it in a small amount of water and gently rub it onto the baby’s teeth. Not only are food leftovers removed from the surface, but it also makes your baby get used to the feeling of teeth cleaning. You don’t actually need toothpaste for effective tooth brushing.
Between two and four years of age, it’s recommended to slowly introduce your children to toothbrushes designed for kids. Keep in mind that children’s coordination is less developed at this age, and it will be necessary for you to help out with brushing teeth.
After the age of four, kids are typically capable of using toothbrushes more on their own. More than likely, you will have started applying toothpaste by this age. The recommended amount of toothpaste is no more than the size of the pea. When the children reach age six, they should be able to brush their teeth totally independently. This is the period of transition from temporary to permanent teeth, too, and it’s crucial that your children already have a healthy oral hygiene routine in place.
Above all else, model healthy oral hygiene for yourself, too. The secret sauce to teaching good oral hygiene is taking care of your own teeth!
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