Protecting Your Child's Teeth
During the teething stage, you can clean your child's teeth by using a soft, damp cloth to wipe gently over the teeth and gums. As your child grows older, you can start to introduce a children's toothbrush to the brushing process.
It is also important that you use children's toothpaste when brushing your child's teeth. These kinds of toothpaste are specially formulated for children and have reduced levels of fluoride, which effectively protect and strengthen your child's teeth.
It is difficult for young children to clean their teeth properly. Parents will need to help until they feel confident that the child can clean all the hard to reach areas, such as the top and bottom molars at the back of the mouth.
Young children learn best by imitation. Brushing together can become part of the daily routine. Habits set early, when a child is eager to copy, are easier to maintain. Here are a few tips to get things off to a good start:
Make tooth brushing time fun
If bedtime is not the best time to gain your child's cooperation, pick another time - a thorough cleaning once a day is recommended
If your child does not like your toothpaste, try another brand. As long as the toothpaste contains fluoride, it is fine
Most parents are well aware of when the front teeth come in, but many lose track when it comes to the molars in the back. Molar care is very important because of the grooves and cracks that easily trap small pieces of food. Children will need help with reminders of proper molar care.
It is worth taking a few minutes regularly to inspect your child's teeth. You may notice a white spot, a dark area or even a hole in a tooth. These could be early signs of a problem and should be checked by a dentist.
The Wiggles are here to help! We want to help build healthy habits around regular care of your young child's teeth. If they brush their teeth from the start of the video to the very end, that is 2 minutes! The recommended amount of time for tooth brushing! Hurray!