Knowing exactly how and when to start cleaning your child’s teeth can be confusing for some parents. However, the answer is simple and the moment teeth are present you should begin to clean them. When they are still very young a washcloth can be used, but as more teeth appear switch to a soft toothbrush designed for children.
Take special care while using toothpaste and only use a small smear for those under two and a pea size amount for over two year olds. Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste from an early age, as consuming fluoride can be harmful to children.
If there is a family history of tooth or mouth problems, or if your child sucks their thumbs, patients from Dukinfield and surrounding areas are recommended to bring their child into the practice sooner rather than later. It is also a good idea to bring along your child to the dentist before their own appointment, so they can grow accustomed to the strange surroundings.
Diet can play an important part in the health of your child’s teeth and gums. Make sure they do not eat too many sugar foods and that they clean their teeth afterwards. This is to help in the removal of bacteria from the teeth and gums.
The best way to ensure your child has good oral hygiene is to lead by example. This is because children at a young age will want to copy their parents and it instils the habit of good oral hygiene at an early age.
