Myths And Facts About Dental Hygiene For Children

When a child is very young, it is up to the parents to make sure that his or her mouth remains clean. Up until the age of three or so, this usually means gentle use of a brush with no toothpaste or even a warm cloth rather than toothpaste.

As soon as children begin to teethe, however, it’s important to understand what you need to do in regards to helping them develop good dental health habits. In these formative years, they will usually develop the hygiene habits they have as adults.

Let’s look at some important things to remember when teaching kids about brushing.

MYTH: Kids don’t need to brush their teeth until they develop adult teeth.

FACT: It’s highly uncomfortable for children to have to deal with cavities and damaged teeth before their adult teeth come in. Although children’s teeth are not permanent, their brushing will help maintain the health of their gums and prepare them for the daily responsibility of brushing.

MYTH: Most toothpastes are appropriate for kids to use when they brush on their own.

FACT: One of the leading reasons why children might fail to develop good brushing habits is because of the discomfort they may feel when they brush their teeth. It is often a good idea to start children off with mild toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

MYTH: If a child loses a tooth due to an accident, it’s no big deal, as it will come out anyway.

FACT: Children’s teeth do come out, and it doesn’t always mean that they need to see a dentist. However, if there has been any significant trauma, it’s a good idea to consult with a dentist just to be safe. This way, you know that a child’s adult teeth will still be growing in the right way.

MYTH: Children don’t need to floss in order to maintain their dental health.

FACT: About 50{3b0f9398becb40f4bdd8fe95c600d2c252c33730296b97da1b334948809cb5c4} of American adults don’t floss regularly, but regular flossing is correlated with better health – and reduced dental bills in the future. Flossing accounts for about 30{3b0f9398becb40f4bdd8fe95c600d2c252c33730296b97da1b334948809cb5c4} of all the “gunk” that you could remove from between your teeth.

When children develop good habits, it’s a good sign for the future of their dental hygiene. That also includes seeing the dentist on a regular basis: At least once a year, and preferably twice!

Community Dental Group is the friendly dentist for folks from Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, and Newbury Park. Call or email us today to get your appointment!