Your child’s baby teeth are just as critical to their health, speech development, and self-esteem as their permanent teeth are. Some parents we meet at The Addison Dentist hold the misconception that the care of primary teeth is secondary to adult teeth since they will eventually fall out.
Importance of Brushing
The truth is that the twenty primary teeth lay the foundation for the health of adult teeth and a beautiful smile. Taking care of these teeth is very important to oral health in Addison TX.
A dislike for brushing is understandable. A parent takes a pokey bristly thing, smears some minty paste on it, puts it in their mouth and scrubs their teeth with it. No wonder it doesn’t appeal to some toddlers and children. Sometimes the battle grows to the point where parents want to give up the struggle until their child is older. Don’t! If it is challenging to get your child to brush willingly, Dr. Rao has several suggestions.
Advice For Parents
If the toothpaste is the problem, brush with a smaller amount or even without it, at first. The goal is to remove food particles that will lead to plaque and bacteria, eventually causing tooth decay. Toothpaste is not necessary for removing food particles, but fluoride is important for your child’s oral health in Addison TX. If your water is not fluoridated, talk to Dr. Rao about fluoride supplements.
Take your child to the store and have him or her pick a new, soft-bristled toothbrush. Maybe buy two, so your child has some control in picking which toothbrush to use each time he or she brushes.
Let your child do the brushing, then inspect and brush the areas that might have been missed. Have your child with you when you and your spouse are brushing your teeth. Let your son or daughter know that everyone needs to brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day. Invite your child to look in the mirror and brush at the same time. After it has become part of the routine, add time by singing songs or brushing your teeth at the same time.
Compliment your child on their marvelous effort in taking care of themselves. Be sure to keep a positive attitude. Let your child know that you love their beautiful smile and want it to always be shiny white. Positive reinforcement and establishing a routine are critical parts of childhood dental brushing. We want children to be devoted to a habit that will impact their health throughout their life.
If your child continues to struggle with brushing, you may examine sealants. Sealants are useful protective barriers applied to the biting surfaces of teeth. A sealant helps with preventing food particles from lodging in difficult places to brush – typically in the pits and grooves in the molars in the back of the mouth. If you’d like to schedule an appointment concerning your child’s oral health in Addison TX, call 469-998-2515. We offer several dentistry services for adults too, such as dental implants, teeth whitening, and restorative dentistry.
Contact The Addison Dentist:
469-998-2515
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
4145 Belt Line Rd Ste 208
Addison, Texas
75001
