Oral care is something that should be taught to children as early as age three. In developing the habit of brushing and flossing, they will have fewer chances of getting any oral disease as they grow up.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in every 5 children of 5-11 years old, 1 suffers from untreated tooth decay. The good news is that tooth decay can be prevented. Aside from visiting the children’s dental center regularly to get their teeth checked, it is also important to teach kids the right dental habits. The two most important things to do to take care of the teeth is to brush and floss. Of course, there is a right way to do these. Here’s what you should tell your kids.
Brushing
The first and most basic oral hygiene activity is to brush the teeth. This is, in fact, an activity that a lot of adults actually take for granted and sometimes skip. When kids learn to brush their teeth as a necessity and not as a forced action, it will become a habit that they will not forget to do it even as they grow older.
The key principle when brushing teeth is to brush each individual tooth instead of trying to brush all your teeth in just a few strokes. Always remember to clean the front, the bottom part, and the back of each tooth. It is also essential that children learn how to brush their teeth at least two times in a day, once after their daytime shower and once at night before they go to bed. Doing this every day is a must in order to keep the mouth clean and free from any bacteria build-up.
Flossing
Another important thing to do in order to keep your kid’s teeth clean and healthy is regular flossing. In contrast to using a toothpick, flossing does not cause teeth gap. It can get food particles that can are stuck in between your teeth without any problem. Doing this will help your children avoid cavities.
The proper way to do this is to dig the floss deep in between each gap of your teeth. Focus on parts where food will most likely get stuck. As you kid is still young, you may have to demonstrate or do it yourself during their first try. Then, you can watch them floss their teeth alone.
The Bottom Line
Brushing your teeth and flossing are two of the most important parts of your kids’ oral hygiene routine. Once they develop these two habits, they will be able to take care of their teeth properly.
Most adults who have dental problems suffer because they weren’t properly taught by their parents when they were young. As a result, as they grow older, they only brush and floss whenever they feel like it. Don’t let your kids experience the same problem someday. Teach them the importance of oral health at a young age.
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