3 Reasons Your Child Should Learn Healthy Dental Habits Early

As an adult who has been brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist for years, completing your oral hygiene routine may seem second nature. In fact, you could do it in your sleep! So, you probably rarely (if ever) give much thought to developing good dental habits… until you have children.

With more than 40% of children between the ages of 2 and 11 experiencing tooth decay, it’s an important discussion. Especially since a whopping 90% of Americans have had at least one cavity by their 21st birthday. The good news is that serious oral health problems like these are largely preventable, especially if you enforce good habits at an early age. To learn more about the benefits of implementing a solid oral hygiene routine while your child is young, read on!

Why Starting Dental Hygiene Early Is Important

Although it takes some work, there are several noteworthy benefits to starting your child’s dental hygiene routine early on, including:

• Promotes good oral and overall health – Brushing, flossing, and getting a dental checkup and cleaning are all essential habits that help promote good oral health and overall well-being. The sooner these habits are implemented, the more likely your child’s teeth will stay decay-free!
• Decreases dental anxiety – Dental anxiety is quite common. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to addressing it, it is extremely beneficial to begin these visits when your child is an infant. That way, their family dentist feels more like a familiar friend than an unknown stranger.
• Builds lifelong good dental habits – The best way to ensure that your child will take care of their teeth is to make it a part of their daily routine from a young age. In fact, you should begin their dental care routine before they even have teeth!

A Quick Look at Children’s Dentistry Throughout the Years

Now that you know why learning dental habits early is important, it’s time to discuss how. Here’s a quick overview of some good oral hygiene practices throughout their childhood:

• Dental care for infants – As mentioned above, you should begin your child’s oral hygiene routine before they even have teeth. Simply use a clean, damp washcloth to wipe down their gums after each feeding. You should also avoid putting them to bed with a bottle since this can result in a phenomenon known as “baby bottle tooth decay.”
• Dental care for toddlers – When your child’s first tooth emerges (or by their first birthday), you should schedule their first dental checkup. As more teeth begin to break through the gumline, you should use a child-sized toothbrush and floss to gently clean their teeth and gums. To make this process more fun for your child, consider playing their favorite music, selecting a fun flavor of toothpaste (like bubble gum), and getting a themed toothbrush.
• Dental care for children – Once your child’s first set of molars arrive, their dentist may recommend getting dental sealants, which will help protect their teeth from cavities. Of course, they should continue brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and getting dental checkups and cleanings every six months as well. If they do develop tooth decay, then schedule the necessary restorative treatment as soon as possible.
• Dental care for teens – By the time your child is a teen, they should hopefully have a good understanding of how important a solid dental care regimen is. This is also a common age to get braces, which can help boost their smile and their oral health!

Cavities and gum disease are just a few of many oral health concerns that can wreak havoc on your child’s oral and overall health. The good news is that they are largely preventable, especially with a solid dental care routine in place at a young age!