Four Tips from a Pediatric Dentist on Cleaning Baby Teeth

Pediatric Dentist Cape Girardeau, MO

Pediatric dentists treat children who still have their baby teeth. Part of ensuring children can prevent oral health concerns at a young age includes teaching patients how to help their children brush and floss daily. This review discusses how parents can care for their child’s baby teeth between visits with their pediatric dentist.

Pediatric dentistry tips: how to clean baby teeth

Four key tips to remember when helping your child clean their baby teeth are to use a child-sized toothbrush, avoid using too much toothpaste, do not allow your child to brush on their own too soon, and ensure a consistent oral care routine is established. These tips, along with regular visits to the pediatric dentist, can significantly reduce the risk of cavities and other oral health concerns.

Use a child-sized toothbrush

Using an adult-sized toothbrush can make brushing your child’s teeth far more challenging. Instead, ask your pediatric dentist if they can provide a child-sized toothbrush to use or find a dentist-recommended child toothbrush. This can ensure that you can help your child brush gently yet thoroughly and reach all areas of the mouth effortlessly. It may also be less intimidating for your child to use an appropriately sized toothbrush.

Do not use too much toothpaste

A common mistake parents make is using too much toothpaste when brushing their child’s teeth at a young age. Up until the age of three, children only need toothpaste the size of a grain of rice, according to the American Dental Association. Children between the ages of three and six only need approximately a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Most pediatric dentists recommend using fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen the tooth enamel.

Do not allow your child to brush alone too soon

There is no specific age that is typically recommended for children to begin brushing on their own. Instead, it should be based on comfort level. However, it is important not to hand the reins over too soon. While helping your child brush, be sure to educate them on how to do so properly. Once they begin doing it on their own, monitor them and correct any mistakes they make until they get the hang of it and develop healthy habits.

Remain consistent with the brushing routine

Consistency is the key to good oral hygiene. Brushing infrequently can lead to a build-up of tartar on teeth and damage enamel, which can eventually lead to cavities on baby teeth. Be sure to help your child brush several times each day for approximately two minutes during each cleaning routine.

Pediatric dentistry visits are an important part of oral care

While implementing a proper oral care routine for your child is a great way to reduce the risk of developing issues, it does not replace the need for regular check-up visits and cleanings from a pediatric dentist. If your child is due for their next check-up, then call our kid-friendly pediatric dentistry team to set up a visit.

Request an appointment here: https://www.pediatricdentistrysemo.com or call Jayne F. Scherrman JS Pediatric Dentistry at (573) 271-3062 for an appointment in our Cape Girardeau office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentist in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Recent Posts

Why A Pediatric Dentistry Is Best Equipped To Help Your Child

Routine professional dental care is important for people of all ages, including children. Visiting a pediatric dentistry office is the right choice for many families because of the numerous benefits it offers. While any type of regular professional dental care is good for your child's oral health, working with a pediatric dentist can be especially…

Call A Pediatric Dentistry If Your Child Is Experiencing Tooth Pain

Toothaches are commonplace for children and adults alike, but you should still contact your pediatric dentistry office if your child complains of one. This is especially true if the oral pain is:SuddenUnexplainedChronic or reoccurringWorsens with timeContinues for more than a dayAccompanied by other symptoms, such as bleeding, inflammation, oozing, or feverA dentist can help you…

Why A Pediatric Dentistry Office Would Recommend Fluoridated Water

Fluoridated water is part of pediatric dentistry. It is a convenient and easy way to strengthen and protect teeth at an early age. Many areas have fluoridated water, which is a definite advantage. If you want to know why a dentist will likely recommend fluoridated water, here are the details.Studies show that almost all sources…

Pediatric Dentistry: 5 Tips For Helping Your Child Through Teething

As a parent, you probably understand that pediatric dentistry is an important aspect of your child's overall health. However, you first need to deal with the teething process as the baby teeth emerge from the gums. It varies among babies, but teething typically begins around six months of age. Common symptoms include sore and irritated…

Recent Posts

Why A Pediatric Dentistry Is Best Equipped To Help Your Child

Why A Pediatric Dentistry Is Best Equipped To Help Your Child

Routine professional dental care is important for people of all ages, including children. Visiting a pediatric dentistry office is the right choice for many families because of the numerous benefits it offers. While any type of regular professional dental care is good for your child's oral health, working with a pediatric dentist can be especially…

Call A Pediatric Dentistry If Your Child Is Experiencing Tooth Pain

Call A Pediatric Dentistry If Your Child Is Experiencing Tooth Pain

Toothaches are commonplace for children and adults alike, but you should still contact your pediatric dentistry office if your child complains of one. This is especially true if the oral pain is:SuddenUnexplainedChronic or reoccurringWorsens with timeContinues for more than a dayAccompanied by other symptoms, such as bleeding, inflammation, oozing, or feverA dentist can help you…