Children’s Dental Health Month: The Importance of Teaching Healthy Oral Habits

Children’s Dental Health Month: The Importance of Teaching Healthy Oral Habits

Did you know that 42% of children ages 2 to 11 have had cavities in their “baby teeth”? In recognition of Children’s Dental Health Month, we want to reinforce the importance of teaching healthy oral habits to youngsters. Baby teeth are more susceptible to cavities because their layer of enamel is thinner than permanent teeth but implementing good oral health care can prevent the onset of cavities and promote a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

At Great Expressions Dental Centers, we understand that teaching healthy oral health habits is an important job. To make sure that you feel confident during the teaching process, we’ve provided useful tips to help you feel prepared.

• Create a routine: Children thrive with structure, so making a purposeful effort to dedicate two minutes, two times per day to brushing teeth can establish a healthy oral hygiene routine for many years to come. Learn how to make oral hygiene fun here!
• Provide the right tools: To best remove plaque and debris, children should use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on a soft-bristle toothbrush that is able to reach all their teeth easily.
• Be a good example: Brush your teeth with your children so that they can watch and imitate what you do. Show them how to brush their tongue and front, tops and back of their teeth. This is also a great time for family bonding.
• Assist them: It’s important to encourage your child to brush their teeth themselves, but be sure to follow up as most children don’t have the dexterity to brush on their own until about 7 years old.
• Floss, floss, floss: As soon as your children’s teeth touch together, make flossing once per day a priory to remove food from places a toothbrush can’t reach.
• Teach in words they’ll understand: Many complex dental terms may not resonate with young children. Try to help them interpret oral hygiene through words they’ll understand.
  • Cavity: A hole in your tooth
  • Enamel: Helps protect your teeth from cavities
  • Plaque: Sticky layer of germs on your teeth that can cause cavities

• Visit the Dentist: Get a head start on a lifelong commitment to oral hygiene. Visiting the dentist twice per year is important to prevent cavities and keep your child’s smile bright and healthy.

Join us in the month-long national celebration of children’s dental health and share ways you teach healthy oral hygiene by using the hashtag #childrensdentalhealthmonth. Learn more about our pediatric dentistry services or schedule an appointment here.