Oral Hygiene Las Vegas, NV
One of the first things you need to teach your child when it comes to oral hygiene is how to properly brush. Ensuring that your child brushes every one of their teeth fully requires more than just showing them how to move the toothbrush up and down. If your child is not brushing correctly, the team here at Changing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry can help. These tips will help them learn how to brush properly, and if they still need help, we can go over brushing techniques with them at their next appointment and cleaning.
The Right Toothbrush is Important
Before getting into how to brush, though, the first tip for good brushing habits is to have the right toothbrush. The first thing to do is make sure the toothbrush your child uses has soft bristles. You do not want them using a hard bristled toothbrush because it can injure their gums and damage the enamel on their teeth. Next, you want to find a toothbrush that fits their hand and is comfortable to use. Many children’s toothbrushes are shorter and smaller than adult brushes, so typically they are more comfortable for kids to use. The head on a child’s toothbrush is also typically smaller, making it easier for them to fit in their mouth.
Other than comfort and soft bristles, the actual look of the toothbrush does not matter that much. You can let your child pick out whatever color or style toothbrush they want. Let them pick their favorite color or a toothbrush with a cartoon character on it to make brushing a little more fun.
Work with Them on the Angle
It is important that your child brush their teeth at a 45-degree angle. This angle helps the bristles reach every part of each tooth plus cleans the gums. When brushing the bottom teeth, the brush should be angled downwards, while it should be angled upwards when brushing the top teeth. Children often have some difficulty keeping this angle while brushing their back teeth, so they may need some help there.
Do Not Forget the Tongue
Many people, including many adults, do not realize that they need to brush their tongue as well as their teeth and their gums. The tongue can get covered with many different bacteria, food particles, and other debris. This is one of the sources of bad breath, plus the bacteria on the tongue can easily jump to the teeth and gums. Teach your child to brush their tongue every time they brush their teeth to help keep it clean and to prevent bad breath.
There is No Need to Use a Large Amount of Toothpaste
While toothpaste ads may make it seem like you need to use a large stripe of toothpaste, you really do not need more than a pea-sized amount. Show your child how much toothpaste they really need. There is no extra benefit to using a large amount of toothpaste.
If you want more tips about oral hygiene for your child and about teaching good brushing habits, we can help. Call Changing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry at (702) 998-2840 today. |