5 Ways to Get Kids to Clean Their Teeth

Oral health is an important aspect of overall health. As such, it is important to cultivate good habits in children at an early age. Children should start seeing dentists regularly twice a year starting approximately 6 months after they cut their first teeth. In addition, there are 5 practical things parents can do at home to get their kids into the habit of cleaning their teeth.

 1. Encourage healthy eating. In their first few years

of life, children’s choices are by and large chosen by what their parents eat. Encourage your children to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

2. Rub infant gums. Doing this is two-fold. Rubbing gums helps get rid of bacteria and gets the child used to the brushing motion. And when a child is teething, he or she will love it.

3. Start brushing with first teeth. The moment a child’s tooth appears, start brushing. It will keep it clean and healthy when the others start coming in.

4. Make brushing a fun game. There are many ways to initiate your toddlers into brushing their own teeth. Make it a game. Set a timer. Brush with them.

5. Introduce flossing and mouthwash. Once your children know how to brush, start teaching them how to floss between teeth and how to gargle, starting first with water, then moving to mouthwash when they master it.

  If you need to know more about helping your

children start and maintain good oral help, this website is a great resource. Check out this website to find a pediatric dentist in Santa Cruz.