Dental Tips and Tricks for Parents

Dental Tips and Tricks for Parents

As soon as your child’s first tooth appears, take them to the dentist to familiarise them with the environment so the dentist can make sure their mouth is in good health. Usually, this will happen by their first birthday.

Our dentists make the experience fun and interactive for children, so they have a positive mindset and will want to come back for future appointments.

We don’t want your little ones to be afraid of visiting us, so we encourage parents to bring their children to us at a very young age so we can show them that looking after their teeth can be fun!

Toothbrushing tips

Start brushing your children’s teeth twice daily for 2 minutes with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste as soon as their first milk tooth appears.

Demonstrate by teaching your children as they grow how to brush their teeth, and by the age of 7, they should be able to brush their teeth on their own.

Here are a few tips on how to help a child brush their own teeth properly:

• Practice guiding your child’s hand so they understand the correct brushing movement.
• Using a mirror can help your child see where they are brushing to make sure they reach all teeth.
• An egg timer is the perfect way to make sure they are brushing for a full 2 minutes – it also makes the experience fun!
• Watch them brush their teeth for as long as it takes for them to feel comfortable to do it on their own – and never rush the process.
• Some children need more encouragement than others, use this time to bond with your child, do a silly dance, or have a sing-along beforehand to get them in the mood. This is just an example from Sesame Street that several parents have recommended. YouTube has so many videos to choose from; this is just one we often use when visiting nurseries, and the kids enjoy it – Click here to watch.

Limit sugar intake

Too many sweet treats and drinks can cause cavities in milk teeth and adult teeth. The main culprits are chocolate, ice cream, jelly sweets, children’s cereal and fizzy drinks.

There are many teeth-friendly alternatives that are better for oral health and will satisfy a child’s sweet tooth.

• Swap a chocolate bar for vegetable sticks such as cucumber and carrots.
• Instead of ice cream, choose sugar-free frozen yoghurt.
• Choose drinks with no added sugar, including fruit squash and sparkling drinks.

Once oral hygiene is part of your child’s daily routine, it will become second nature to them, and they will automatically brush their teeth in the morning and the evening. Remember, you act as a role model to your little ones, so if they see you brushing your teeth, they’ll want to do the same.

Keep up the good work, and we’re here to help if you have any questions.