Have you kept your child’s smile safe and clean? Even though your child will not be able to clean their teeth effectively until around 6 years of age, it is important to immediately begin brushing their teeth as soon as they begin to appear. For the first few years, you will need to brush their teeth for them, but as they begin to grow up, inspire them to practice on their own until you are confident they can do so by themselves safely and effectively.
Here are some of the top tooth brushing tips for infants and young children:
– Your child’s diet is tremendously important not only for their oral health but for their physical and mental growth as well.
– For children under 3 years old, use a rice-sized spot of toothpaste, and for children 3 to 6 years old, use a pea-sized spot of toothpaste.
– Brushing your child’s teeth should begin as soon as the first tooth appears above the gum line, which typically occurs between 6-10 months of age.
– Bacteria can easily be passed to your child through brushing kits or other objects that you share with your child, so try to avoid sharing products between uses until they have been cleaned.
– The child’s first visit to their pediatrician for an oral examination should occur no later than one year of age.
Dr. J. Richard Burch at KC Smile Doc wants to ensure your child’s smile shines no matter what condition it is in. You can contact our pediatric office in Kansas City, Missouri, by calling us at 816-822-0990. Your child’s smile is our business!