Dental Hygiene Tips for Smiling Kids

Dental hygiene is extremely important, especially in kids. And the best way to inspire great dental hygiene habits in children is to start teaching them as early as possible. The habits that your kids develop when they’re young will be the ones that they continue to use to keep their entire mouth healthy throughout their adult life as well, so don’t skimp on this important education.

What are the top dental hygiene tips for smiling kids? Continue reading to learn more.

Clean the Gums, but Do So Gently

Brushing should be used as a means to clean debris off of the teeth, as well as to clean along the gum line. After all, healthy gums are the foundation for healthy teeth.

Teach your kids to hold their toothbrush correctly, preferably at a 45-degree angle, and to use small circular strokes to attack debris along the top and bottom gums, as well as the entire tooth area. This will ensure they reach all areas of their mouth. Just make sure that they know not to brush the gums aggressively, as that could lead to irritation.

Floss Daily

In addition to brushing their teeth twice daily, kids should also be taught to floss at least once daily. This will ensure that they’re able to remove all of the debris that has collected between their teeth throughout the day, so do this at night.

If your kids don’t like using standard floss products, you can instead have them use a water flosser, which will do the same job, but with strong bursts of water.

Choose the Right Toothbrush

On top of knowing how to properly brush their teeth, kids should also learn how to choose the right toothbrush. After all, the quality of the tool that they use to clean their teeth will help them achieve a brilliant, clean smile. The bristles should be soft enough that they don’t irritate the gums, but at the same time strong enough that they don’t lose their shape and effectiveness.

To increase the odds that your kids will be able to thoroughly clean their teeth, opt for a child-friendly electric toothbrush. These can be charged up and used to clean teeth and gums more easily and effectively than traditional manual toothbrushes. Plus, you can replace the heads, so you will have one product that lasts a very long time.

Reach the Back Teeth and Clean the Tongue

Kids should also be taught that, in addition to cleaning the gums, they also need to pay a lot of attention on their back teeth. These can be more difficult to reach and can, therefore, be more susceptible to decay. Again, an electric toothbrush could make the job easier. And they should also brush the tongue to remove bacteria and eliminate bad breath.

Have Regular Dental Checkups

Regular checkups with a great dentist are a must for keeping your child’s entire mouth healthy. Have their teeth examined and cleaned once or twice a year.

Again, teaching your kids at a young age about the importance of dental hygiene will ensure their teeth and gums remain strong and clean.