National Children’s Dental Health Month: Three Tips to Brushing Children’s Teeth

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Sponsored by the American dental association, it focuses on bringing healthcare professionals, including pediatric dentists in Medicine Hat, to use learning resources and activities to educate children and their parents about dental and oral health. 

As pediatric dentists in Medicine Hat, we want to give you and your little ones pointers on achieving optimum oral health. So here are three tips on brushing when it comes to your children’s teeth. 

Brushing Baby’s Teeth

The baby’s teeth start forming even before the baby is born and are essential for many reasons. They assist in the development of speech and chewing and are the placeholders for the next set of teeth. 

We recommend avoiding toothpaste until your baby is old enough to learn how to rinse and spit out. Follow these simple steps when brushing your baby’s teeth: 

1. Place your baby comfortably on their back. 
2. Use a soft baby brush to clean inside their mouth. 
3. Position their head at an angle and gently clean their gums and teeth in small circles. 
4. Gently rub your baby’s teeth and gums to clean away residue. 

Flossing Children’s Teeth 

In Medicine Hat, a pediatric dentist will recommend starting with floss equal to the length of your child’s arm. 

Wrap the floss around the middle finger and guide the floss between the teeth with your index finger. Slide the floss between the teeth and move it in a U shape to help remove plaque. Floss a couple of times between each space to ensure it is cleaned. Use a clean part of the dental floss as you move down the dental arch.

Replacing of Toothbrush

Our pediatric dentists will recommend replacing a toothbrush every 3 to 4 months to prevent the build-up of bacteria. This is essential in keeping the germs away from your child’s teeth and gums to avoid oral health issues. 

As your child gets older, you should continue helping with their oral health routine until they can manage the operation of a toothbrush by themselves. It’s a good idea to monitor them for the first few months, ensuring they are doing it correctly and spitting out any excess toothpaste.

When you book an appointment with one of our pediatric dentists in Medicine Hat, they will provide your little one with a new toothbrush and floss after their visit!