Because they are destined to fall out and be replaced by adult teeth, baby teeth are often thought of as a trial run. Thus if children don’t brush properly, parents may shrug, banking on the idea that their children’s homecare will improve over time. Unfortunately, this approach fails to realize just how important it is to care for primary teeth. If one of these teeth succumbs to an infection, that infection can spread, not just throughout the mouth, but throughout the body as well. Children may also suffer orthodontic problems if a primary tooth falls out too early. Thus, proper homecare is very important no matter a person’s age. But how do you get children to brush properly when so often they rush the process or miss large areas of their mouths? Your Brighton dentist, Dr. Thomas Villani, has the answer.
Teaching Children to Brush
When you teach children to brush their teeth, you want to make them aware of your presence as they are brushing. Therefore, it is often useful to stand behind a child as he or she faces the mirror. This position should also give you a good vantage point to view your child’s brushing technique.
When your child begins brushing, instruct him or her to brush using small circular movements, focusing on one or two teeth at a time. Also be sure that your child brushes the back, front, and top surfaces of each tooth. To ensure that children brush thoroughly, it helps to set up some kind of timer for 2-3 minutes. Getting creative with your timer can help make brushing more fun, so be sure to experiment with using a favorite song as a timer.
Schedule a Visit with Your Brighton Family Dentist
Regular visits to your Brighton family dentist, Dr. Villani, can reinforce your child’s good oral hygiene habits. If more than six months have passed since your child’s last dental visit, schedule an appointment with your Brighton family dentist by calling Brighton Family Dental Group at (617) 562-5210. We proudly serve patients from Watertown, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Brighton, and the 02135 area.
