Lets get Brushing

Hey Guys and welcome to the first blog in my dental hub series, I hope you find it helpful.

Today I'm talking about getting our little ones brushing and looking after their teeth with lots of help from mom and dad of course.

Caring for your child's oral health starts before any teeth are even present in the mouth. Using a clean piece of gauze wrapped around your finger and warm water gently clean the mouth and gums. This method of cleaning is perfectly fine to use while there are only 1-4 teeth present in the mouth anymore then that and it's time to buy your little one a soft childrens toothbrush. It's not recommended to use toothpaste before the age of two so it is perfectly fine to use the toothbrush with some warm water to clean your little ones teeth.

From two years on start using a pea sized amount of normal adult fluoride toothpaste (making sure not to let them swallow) assist your little one with brushing in the morning and the evening, getting them to spit out after brushing but not to rinse and delay brushing for 1 hour after eating.

Not all children will want you to brush their teeth and to pull at their mouth so it's important especially in the begining not to force it. Show them the toothbrush let them hold it, let them brush your teeth or try to brush their own, make a game of it where the toothbrush is trying to tiddle their teeth. They will soon get used to it and let you brush their teeth without any problems.

The same is said of dentist visits! Don't force it. Some people will suggest bringing your child to the dentist before their first birthday but this all really depends on the co-operation of the child. Gone are the days (thank goodness) were you sit them up on the dental chair and don't let them down until they have opened their mouth. You want the dentist to be their friend not someone they fear. So I suggest make an appointment in the dentist for yourself for a check up and a clean and bring your little one along on the day and ask them if they will let the dentist count their teeth, if they let them great if not no problem, try again the next time. The dentist can be a scary place for some adults never mind children so there is no point in forcing it. If you are brushing their teeth twice a day and limiting snacks and sugary drinks 3 years of age is a grand time for your little ones first dental visit.