Savvy parents today know that the key to good dental health for a lifetime starts at birth. No more do we wait around for that first tooth to sprout through to begin good habits. From birth, after feeding them their milk, parents gently wash the gums with a clean washcloth.
From there, we build habits that will help the child learn to take care of their teeth. When the teeth start breaking through the gums, we are there, fingertip rubber brushes ready, to keep those tiny pearly whites in the best possible shape. As soon as the child can hold a toothbrush good parents are guiding them on how to brush.
When children hit the toddler/pre-school years, adults must be extra diligent. This is the time of life when children love sweets, bubble gum and soda. They also slack up on their brushing habits. Some children will brush, but only doing a mediocre job. Others will try to get out of brushing their teeth before bedtime. A good way to keep children interested in their oral hygiene at this time is to buy electric toothbrushes and great flavored toothpaste. Children love the feel of the spinning brushes and will brush longer. A Phillip’s Sonic Care toothbrush has a two-minute timer that will help the young ones to keep brushing for the proper amount of time.
Flossing is tricky for children. Their dexterity is not yet developed enough to wrap floss around their fingers and position it between teeth. Parents should still be diligent to floss for their children. Brushing is not enough for young children. They should have their teeth flossed after every meal and before bedtime, just like an adult. Not only will this prevent cavities, but it will teach the children the importance of flossing. This will help them to develop daily flossing as a habit.
For children, mouthwash is tricky. Adult mouthwash contains alcohol and should not be used for small children. Many, even without alcohol, are too strong for a child’s sensitive mouth. There are children’s mouthwashes on the market, but many are little more than grape-flavored, enticingly-packaged water. There are no benefits to them at all. When choosing an oral rinse for your child, look for products specifically made for children. Listerine, Colgate, Crest and other big name companies know that oral rinses are very important. Fluoride is added to keep teeth healthy. Great flavors mean the child will use them. The rinse will help children to understand the importance of a good mouthwash after brushing and flossing. All of this combined will result in great oral habits.
Are you still not quite convinced of the importance of starting oral hygiene habits at birth? Does it seem ‘over-the-top’ to buy good quality tooth brushes and mouthwash? Consider this: Oral health problems have been directly linked to developmental and behavioral problems. Poor dental health can lead to low self-esteem. It will result in painful cavities, gum disease, and later in life can lead to serious health problems.
Think about how your child will feel going to school with cavity-riddled teeth. Not only will they have trouble eating, but the other kids may make fun of them.
A child may choose not to smile, or to hide their smile because they are embarrassed. Picture day can be traumatic. In middle school, when appearance is everything, they may be reluctant to join in with peers because of their appearance. In high school they may be withdrawn and anti-social due to how they perceive their looks. They may be reluctant to participate in group learning sessions and extra-curricular activities. Grades can suffer. This can lead to many mental issues, feelings of unworthiness and self-consciousness, and other problems.
Besides the mental toll on children, there is also the issue of pain. Tooth decay is painful. A child may not want to eat, or even be able to eat, because of rotted teeth. They may lose sleep due to a tooth-ache. Weight-loss, oral infections, and tooth-loss can all be painful results of teeth that are not properly cleaned and flossed. Headaches, lack of concentration and tongue lacerations- the list goes on and on.
If a pre-teen or teenage child must have orthodontia to straighten teeth, good brushing habits become even more important. After all, what use is it to spend thousands of dollars to correct tooth alignment and overbites if the teeth will eventually fall out anyway? If teeth are not brushed during this time period, permanent white scars can appear on the teeth. Gum disease can result from not brushing and flossing. It is a good idea to monitor your child to make sure they are following healthy oral habits. Remind them that the results will be well worth it when the braces are removed.
The good news is that gum disease, cavities, and pain are all preventable. Buying a quality toothbrush, a toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride, and gentle floss will help. Starting at birth and continuing until the child can perform their own oral hygiene is crucial. It is also important to teach the child about healthy eating habits. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, very little soda and sugary snacks, and sugarless gum are all ways to help your child keep a pearly white smile through adulthood.
Be diligent now. Develop good habits. Show your children by example. They will thank you later in life when they flash you a beautiful, healthy smile.
