Good oral hygiene is crucial for your child’s dental health, and as parents, it’s your job to make brushing and flossing a fun and engaging experience. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the correct and proper way to brush and floss your child’s teeth while incorporating creative and entertaining techniques to make the process enjoyable.
Brushing and flossing are essential daily routines that work hand in hand to prevent a host of oral health issues. Together, these practices help maintain fresh breath, prevent tooth decay, reduce the risk of gum inflammation, and contribute to a healthier, brighter smile.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before we dive into the brushing and flossing routine, let’s gather all the necessary tools:
A soft-bristle toothbrush
Child-friendly toothpaste (with fluoride)
Dental floss
A timer or a fun toothbrush timer app
Step 2: The Brushing Routine
We’re going to create a memorable acronym, “SMILE,” to make brushing a breeze:
S – Start with a Song: Begin by singing a fun toothbrushing song. Invent your own or find one online. Here’s an example:
Squish, squish, brush from left to right,
Making our teeth sparkle, oh so bright.
Inside, outside, top, and bottom, too,
Say goodbye to plaque, it’s what we do!
M – Magic Toothpaste: Let your child apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to their brush. Toothpaste with fluoride is recommended to prevent cavities.
I – Inside and Out: Brush the inside and outside surfaces of each tooth using small circular motions. Don’t forget the molars!
L – Last for 2 Minutes: Set a timer for 2 minutes or use a toothbrush timer app. Make it a game to see if your child can brush until the timer beeps.
E – Easy Does It: Remind your child to be gentle while brushing to avoid hurting their gums.
Bonus Tip: After brushing, encourage your child not to rinse with water immediately. This allows the fluoride from the toothpaste to continue protecting their teeth.
Step 3: The Flossing Routine
Now, let’s tackle flossing in a fun and easy way:
F – Find the Spaces: Show your child how to use dental floss to clean their teeth. Explain that this is where food particles hide.
L – Light Touch: Teach them to be gentle while flossing, so they don’t harm their gums.
O – One Tooth at a Time: Encourage your child to floss each tooth individually, making sure to reach the gumline.
S – Silly Sounds: Make flossing more enjoyable by creating silly sounds every time they floss between two teeth. It’ll bring laughter to the routine!
S – Smile and Show Off: After flossing, ask your child to smile and show off their clean, shiny teeth. Praise their efforts!
Order Matters Not: There’s no proven advantage or disadvantage in the order in which you floss or brush your teeth. The key is to do both effectively.
When buying dental supplies, consider these tips:
Toothbrush: Look for a soft-bristle toothbrush with a small head. It should be age-appropriate, with colorful designs your child will love.
Toothpaste: Opt for toothpaste with fluoride to help prevent cavities. Make sure to check if the one you choose is adequate for your child’s age.
Dental Floss: Choose a soft, flexible dental floss designed for children. Floss picks with fun shapes can also make flossing more appealing.
Remember that replacing supplies is very important, you should replace toothbrushes every 3-4 months or sooner if the bristles are frayed. Toothpaste and dental floss also have expiration dates, so check them periodically.
Nutrition’s Role in Dental Health
While proper brushing and flossing are essential, nutrition also plays a crucial role in your child’s oral health. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products provides essential nutrients for healthy teeth and gums. Limiting sugary snacks and beverages, as we have mentioned in previous articles, can be harmful to dental health.
To learn more about how nutrition affects your child’s oral health, check out our article, How Nutrition Affects Your Child’s Oral Health. It delves deeper into the connection between diet and dental well-being, providing valuable insights for parents.
Why Is It Important for Children to Know How to Floss?
Teaching children how to care for their teeth isn’t just about preventing cavities; it’s about empowering them to take control of their well-being. When children learn the fundamentals of good oral hygiene, they gain a sense of responsibility for their health that extends beyond the classroom. It’s a skill that will serve them well throughout their lives because good dental health not only impacts physical health and aesthetics but also plays a significant role in mental health and self-esteem.
For parents, knowing that their children are equipped with the knowledge and habits to maintain a healthy smile brings peace of mind. It’s one less thing to worry about in the hustle and bustle of the school year. By instilling these habits early, parents can set their kids on a path to lifelong dental health, helping them smile with confidence and enjoy the benefits of a bright, healthy, and self-assured future. So, as the school bell rings, let’s make dental care a part of the back-to-school routine, ensuring that our children embark on this new academic journey with vibrant smiles and the knowledge to care for them.
While following these fun and easy steps for brushing and flossing is vital, regular dental check-ups are equally important. These visits help ensure your child’s dental health is in tip-top shape and allow the dentist to catch any issues early.
Maintaining your child’s dental health can be both easy and enjoyable. By creating a fun routine, incorporating songs, and emphasizing the importance of nutrition, you can help your child develop good oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime. So, let’s encourage a nutritious diet, schedule those important dental appointments, and make brushing and flossing an adventure that your child looks forward to every day.
As the summer sun shines brightly, parents gear up for a season filled with outdoor adventures, picnics, and fun-filled days. With the change in routine, it’s essential to ensure that your little ones maintain a healthy diet, even when snacking on the go. While it’s tempting to reach for sugary treats that can harm their teeth, it’s important to strike a balance between taste and dental care.
An ideal nutrition plan for your children includes two to three snacks daily, all between the main meals of the day and while it is very important to ensure these snacks are nutritious, it is just as important for your child to enjoy and become excited about their meals. In this article, we present a selection of tooth-friendly snacks that not only satisfy your child’s cravings but also contribute to their overall oral health. These snacks are not only delicious and nutritious but also work towards preventing dental issues such as cavities and enamel erosion. By incorporating these dental-friendly treats into your child’s summer routine, you can help promote a healthy smile while keeping their taste buds happy.
Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables: Nature’s Toothbrushes
Nature provides an abundance of tooth-friendly options that are both refreshing and crisp. Carrots, celery, cucumber slices, and apple wedges are excellent choices that require a bit of chewing. The natural crunchiness of these fruits and vegetables stimulates saliva production, which helps neutralize harmful acids and wash away food particles that can contribute to tooth decay.
Milk, cheese, and yogurt are not only excellent sources of calcium but also play a crucial role in maintaining strong teeth. These dairy products contain casein, a protein known to fortify tooth enamel and reduce the risk of cavities. Opt for low-sugar or unsweetened varieties, and consider frozen yogurt or calcium-fortified milk for a delightful summer twist.
Nutritious Nuts and Seeds: Bite-sized Dental Defenders
Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, cashews, and pumpkin seeds, provide a winning combination of essential nutrients and tooth-protecting properties. Rich in calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, these small snacks help strengthen tooth enamel and promote healthy gums. However, be mindful of age-appropriate options and ensure that they are safely consumed to avoid choking hazards.
Water: The Ultimate Thirst Quencher and Oral Hydrator
While not a traditional “snack,” water deserves a special mention for its unparalleled oral health benefits. As your child stays active during the summer, it’s crucial to keep them hydrated. Water not only helps flush away debris and bacteria from the mouth but also helps maintain optimal saliva production, which is essential for neutralizing acids and protecting tooth enamel.
You can have them hydrated by having a rotation of drinks such as:
Coconut water, not only is great for hydration but is full of electrolytes, minerals, full of nutrients, and fiber and helps regulate blood sugar levels and quite known for its cooling properties in times of heat.
Lemonade is full of Vitamin C and great for health helping with indigestion, constipation, and skin. This drink is great for its cooling effects and gives us the possibility to create a variety of flavors, You can have a sweet lemonade or add black salt and cumin powder, or you can mix it with herbs such as spearmint or with fruits like pineapple, strawberry. Even add coconut water to the mix.
Fruits, this is a great way to keep your child hydrated while giving him vitamins, minerals, and fiber all at once. Oranges. Watermelon, Pineapple, and Muskmelon are ideal fruits to refresh in healthy periods such as summer.
Treats can be Healthy, Too!
Especially in summer, we get cravings for easy things that allow us to continue on the go while being refreshing like ice cream but giving ice cream to our little ones is not the smartest choice for their health. So, this is when we get creative about snacks that give us the same satisfaction while being nutritious.
Yogurt popsicles: You can mix Greek yogurt with berry fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, or even mangos and kiwis that you cut into small square pieces. If you feel like it, you can add granola and a little bit of honey to the mix. Take the mix and put it into popsicle containers or even small cups and toss those into the freezer overnight. The next day you will be able to enjoy the sweet, fresh, and healthy snack.
Chocolate-covered bananas: This is very simple! You only need to cut a banana in 2 and pass a brochette stick through it. Once you have all the bananas ready, you can pour chocolate ganache onto them and freeze them for a couple of hours.
Healthy ice cream: The night before you make it remember to freeze cut-out pieces of banana. You can also add strawberries or fruits to your liking. The next morning you take the frozen fruit and put it in a processor, Add 1 avocado, a little spoon of vanilla essence, and milk to your liking before you process it. You can use whole milk, almond, coconut, oat milk, any type of vegan milk, or Greek yogurt, the type and amount of milk you add to the mix will vary the thickness of the ice cream you will have as a result. Once done you can serve it immediately and add some toppings like granola, dark chocolate chips, berries, or anything and everything your heart wants.
All of these treats are delicious and are not high in added sugars, which makes them great for keeping cavities away. By choosing these tooth-friendly snacks, you can make a positive impact on your child’s oral health while they enjoy the carefree delights of summer. Remember, moderation is key, and it’s essential to maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. With these tips and treats, you can ensure your child’s teeth stay healthy and their smiles shine brightly throughout the sunny season if you want to know more about how nutrition affects your child’s oral health you can check out this article.
In today’s day and age, aesthetics are very important and they influence our self-confidence and sense of self, our social interactions, and our status; a big part of this is our smile. Our smile shows how we present ourselves to the world and can influence our communication with others in social and educational areas.
We have talked about cavities, but today we need to touch base on another part of your and your family’s dental health, how to maintain a white smile.
Reasons Why a Smile Goes Yellow
There are several reasons why a child’s teeth can appear yellow, from the food they ingest to possible injuries that we should consider when this issue comes up. Here are some of the most common reasons:
Poor oral hygiene: When kids don’t brush and floss regularly, food particles and bacteria can build up on their teeth, causing them to stain and discolor.
Diet: Some foods and drinks, such as sugary snacks, sodas, and fruit juices, can stain the teeth and cause yellowing over time.
Genetics: Some children may be more prone to yellow teeth due to genetics. In some cases, the enamel on the teeth may be thinner or naturally more yellow, which can make the teeth appear yellow even with good oral hygiene habits.
Certain medications: Some medications such as antihistamines and other types of antibiotics can be known for causing tooth discoloration as some of their side effects.
Supplements: Fluorosis occurs when a child ingests too much fluoride during the development of their teeth, leading to white or brown stains or streaks on the teeth. Iron could also cause teeth to go gray.
Injury: If your child injures their teeth, blood vessels may break and make teeth appear yellow, brown, gray, or black. After these types of injuries, the vessels within the teeth can burst and this can damage the tooth coating itself.
It’s important to note that while some level of discoloration may be normal, severe yellowing or discoloration may be a sign of a more serious dental issue and should be evaluated by a pediatric dentist.
Recommendations to Maintain a White Smile
As most parents know, sometimes the greatest solutions to most problems can happen in the form of prevention, so before having to correct any issues we want to provide you with tips to help your child maintain healthy enamel:
Encourage good oral hygiene: Make sure your child brushes their teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time, using fluoride toothpaste. Flossing to remove plaque and food particles from between teeth is a practice that at least needs to happen every night before bed.
Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks: Encourage your child to eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Drink water: Water helps to rinse away food particles and bacteria from the teeth and can also help neutralize acid in the mouth.
Visit the dentist regularly: Your child should visit the dentist for regular checkups and cleaning as part of the maintenance of their overall health.
Consider dental sealants: Dental sealants are a protective coating that can be applied to the back teeth to help prevent decay and staining.
Avoid tobacco: Tobacco use can stain teeth and increase the risk of gum disease and other dental problems. Encourage your child to avoid tobacco products.
Monitor fluoride intake: While fluoride is essential for dental health, too much can cause fluorosis, which can lead to yellow or brown stains on the teeth. Make sure your child is using fluoride toothpaste and drinking fluoridated water, but don’t give them fluoride supplements unless recommended by a dentist.
What are Some Natural Solutions?
In case your child already has a yellow smile, there are some measures you can take such as professional bleaching when your child’s dentist can bleach stains near the surface of the enamel with a scrape, bleach, and seal technique. It involves applying a solution of sodium hypochlorite that works as a bleaching agent, and then a resin to block out future pigments in the coating.
Many parents like to try natural options first, so you could try to implement some of these ideas at home to prevent yellowing and maintain healthy, white teeth:
Lemon and baking soda: To avoid plaque gathering on the tooth’s surface or remove some food stains, you might try a paste made of lemon juice and baking soda. Once per week, mix the baking soda with a few drops of lemon juice and have your child brush their teeth with them. Leave on for a couple of minutes before brushing again, and finalize rinsing well. This is a safe and natural method but since the lemon is acidic we don’t suggest using it too frequently.
Brush with baking soda:Baking soda has natural whitening properties and can help remove surface stains from teeth. Mix a small amount of baking soda with your toothpaste and brush as usual.
Drink water: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help rinse away food particles and bacteria from your teeth and neutralize the acid in your mouth.
Chew sugar-free gum: Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help stimulate saliva production, which helps to rinse away food particles and bacteria from your teeth.
By incorporating these natural methods into your oral
Unveiling the Magic of Dental Crowns: A Tale of Smiles and Protection
Once upon a time, in the enchanting kingdom of dental health, there lived a remarkable hero known as the Dental Crown. This noble protector took on the shape of a tooth, like a tailor crafting a custom-made suit, and placed itself over the tooth to shield it from any further harm or mischief. The secret to its strength lay in a magical process where tooth crown materials were mixed, molded, and hardened in a mysterious lab.
But the magic didn’t stop there! These crowns were designed to blend seamlessly with their neighboring teeth, much like chameleons changing their colors to match their surroundings. Porcelain crowns, in particular, had a unique advantage – they could be tinted to mimic the exact shade of nearby teeth.
Dental Crown Wonders
Now, let’s embark on a quest to uncover the mystical procedure behind these dental crown wonders. It was a two-part adventure! In the first chapter, the tooth had to be prepared. This involved a dental wizard performing X-rays to understand the lay of the land. An impression of your child’s mouth was also taken as a magical map. Then, with the skill of a master craftsman, they filed the tooth, removing any damage and reshaping it to welcome the crown. Another impression was made, but this time, it was for the crown itself. A temporary crown was crafted for the tooth, ensuring it stayed safe until the permanent crown was ready in the lab.
The second chapter of this dental fairy tale was scheduled for when the crown was complete. The temporary crown was removed, and the tooth was given a thorough cleaning and preparation. The fit of the crown was double-checked to ensure it was a perfect match for the tooth. With a wave of their wand – or maybe just a dab of dental cement – the dental wizard placed the crown on the tooth and sealed it in place.
Now, you might ask, “Was this magical quest painful?” Fear not, for the dental wizards were experts in their endeavors. They applied magical local anesthesia to the area before beginning their work, ensuring there was no discomfort during the procedure. But they also knew that each hero (or in this case, patient) had a unique journey, filled with different emotions and fears. So, they offered four different sedation options, making sure that every child’s experience was tranquil and comfortable.
The Enchanted Journey of a Dental Crown’s Lifespan
In the mystical realm of dental health, where smiles sparkle like treasure, the lifespan of a dental crown is a tale filled with twists and turns. These magical crowns can grace a tooth for anywhere from five to 15 years or even longer, but their destiny is influenced by a host of factors.
In this enchanted realm, your actions are the key to a longer-lasting crown. Practicing proper dental hygiene, embarking on brave quests to the dentist for regular checkups, and indulging in professional cleanings are all within your control, ensuring that your child’s dental crown shines for years to come. But beware, for lurking in the shadows are foes that seek to shorten the crown’s journey. Teeth-grinding dragons, gum disease trolls, nail-biting ogres, jaw-clenching giants, and those who wield teeth as tools to open bottles and packages can all hasten the crown’s retreat.
Our quest, dear parents and young adventurers is to empower you with the knowledge to safeguard your child’s dental treasure. We beg you to forge healthy dental hygiene routines in your homes and to be mindful of the treacherous temptations that lurk in the form of sugary snacks, sodas, and juices.
Now, let us unveil the mystical world of Dental Crowns for Kids, where the path to dental restoration takes shape. In certain daring quests, when a child’s tooth is more perilously decayed or damaged than a composite filling or pulpotomy can mend, we may embark on a grand adventure with a dental crown.
Your Child’s Crowned Options: A Magical Choice
Here at South Davis Pediatric Dentistry, we offer two illustrious types of crowns, each with its own unique magic. Our arsenal includes the formidable stainless steel crowns and the elegant porcelain crowns.
The Mighty Stainless Steel Crown: Hidden Strength
When the tooth in question lies in the shadows, hidden from immediate view, we often call upon the mighty stainless steel crown. Its strength is legendary, capable of withstanding the mightiest of bites and chews. It guards the natural structure of the tooth and rarely falls prey to the chipping or cracking that plagues lesser crowns.
The Whimsical Porcelain Crown: Aesthetic Elegance
Yet, the metallic visage of the stainless steel crown may not be for all. Some adventurers seek a more aesthetically pleasing path, and for them, the porcelain crown is the answer. These elegant crowns wear a white, pearly visage, making them the favored choice for teeth that grace the frontlines of the smile battle.
And so, dear travelers in the realm of dental wonder, you are armed with the knowledge to make wise choices for your child’s oral adventures. Whether it’s the resilient strength of stainless steel or the enchanting elegance of porcelain, each crown holds its own magic, ready to protect and adorn their precious smiles.
The Post-Crown Dental Quest: Guarding the Treasures Within
In the kingdom of dental adventures, once your child’s tooth is graced with a gleaming dental crown, a new chapter of care begins. Fear not, for it’s a quest your child can embark upon with confidence!
First, a word of caution – for a few days, we recommend steering clear of sticky, chewy candies. Think of it as a grace period for the crown to settle into its new role as guardian of the tooth. But aside from this short candy hiatus, life should return to its usual rhythm.
Now, let us turn our attention to the heroic guardians of your child’s oral realm – the gums! The dental crown, valiant as it is, doesn’t extend its protection to the gum. So, like vigilant knights, we must ensure that healthy gums are safeguarded. This requires the continuation of a twice-daily routine: brushing with a fluoride toothpaste for a full two minutes and embarking on a daring quest of flossing at least once a day.
With these noble habits firmly in place, your child’s dental health shall flourish, and their smile will continue to shine brightly in the realm of dental wonders.
And so, dear adventurers in the world of dental enchantment, we’ve unveiled the mysteries of dental crowns and their noble quest to protect and beautify. Remember, as your child’s smile continues to sparkle, these dental treasures stand ready, guarding their precious teeth with unwavering valor. As you navigate the journey of oral health, may your child’s smile be as radiant as a dragon’s hoard, and may their dental adventures be filled with joy and wonder!
If you ever wore braces, you know it’s not fun. Going through orthodontic treatment can cause discomfort because the brackets and wires put pressure on the teeth and gums, causing your whole mouth to be in pain. This pressure is normal and necessary to move the teeth into the desired position, but it can cause soreness and irritation to the person wearing them. Additionally, the brackets and wires can rub against the inside of the mouth, causing irritation and discomfort.
Society is very used to the phrase “beauty is pain,” and we use it often when we feel too lazy to work out or in cases where aesthetic beauty is involved. And yes, we agree that the use of braces brings a boost and attractiveness to one’s confidence and our connections, but their use goes beyond that, affecting future tooth decay and other health problems that could appear in the long run. Yet we do not believe you need to suffer to achieve the perfect smile, which is why we put together these tips on how to make braces pain less of an issue in your or your child’s day to day.
The First Week With Braces
As in every new thing we try in our lives, the first few days can be the most difficult. The first week after leaving your orthodontist’s office can be quite painful given the fact that your teeth, gums, and your overall mouth bone structure and nerves are receiving tension for the first time.
To let your body adjust without too much discomfort, the foods you should be ingesting during this week are soups and creams, bananas, yogurt (normal, flavored, Greek, you choose your favorite), oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta with soft cheeses, soft (preferably baked) vegetables, mash potatoes/sweet potatoes, fish or seafood in general.
Braces-Friendly Foods
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has created and shared the recommended foods and nutrients a patient needs while on orthodontic treatment, as well as the no-nos. It is important to maintain a healthy diet when wearing braces. Eating soft foods is recommended, just as drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary drinks can help keep your teeth and braces healthy. We leave you the list below.
Sweets: Pudding, Soft cookies, soft chocolates (no nuts or caramel), Jell-O, Ice cream, Milkshakes, Cake/cupcakes (soft bread, no nuts).
We know that having to change your diet can be a discomfort on its own, but you can view it as an opportunity to try new recipes and flavors that you didn’t before. You can try all the ways of making pancakes with oatmeal and different fruits, doing vegan ice cream using frozen bananas and avocado, getting fancy trying veggie creams to make your lunchtime fun, and exploring at the same time. The more you are willing to play with it, the more chances you have to involve your family in meal prep and cooking time, which can become family memories AND help your kids prepare for adulthood.
The not-so-fun part of wearing brackets is knowing there is a variety of foods that are not allowed. Avoiding hard and chewy foods is recommended by oral health specialists. Some of these are:
Hard candy
Sticky candy such as jellybeans
Licorice
Caramel
Taffy
Popcorn
Nuts
Hard pretzels or chips
Crunchy vegetables or fruits
Pizza crust
Bagels or hard rolls
Ice
There is a reason why these foods are on the no list. If you are going through an orthopedic treatment and decide to go for it anyway, they could be the reason why your wires or braces bands come loose. If that happens, we recommend calling your orthodontist immediately to get an appointment as soon as possible. And until you can see your specialist and get the braces in perfect shape, we advise you not to pull or bend a broken wire or bracket. If you do it, you could cause more damage to the piece or even hurt yourself.
If necessary, use a piece of wet cotton or orthodontic wax over the sharp edge on your way to your orthodontist. Remember that if you damage your braces, your treatment time could be extended.
What is the Discomfort is Too Much?
When we feel pain, it’s quite easy to take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen to help reduce the pain, it makes sense to take something for pain that also is anti-inflammatory, but certain studies have shown how anti-inflammatory medications cause slow tooth movement which would be contra productive during an orthodontist treatment.
Acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, is recommended, given its ability to decrease pain without being anti-inflammatory. You can also use wax to cover any sharp edges of the braces that may be causing discomfort.
Natural Remedies
Some natural remedies that can help reduce the pain associated with braces are:
Applying a cold compress or an ice pack to the area can help reduce inflammation and pain.
You can also try using a warm saltwater rinse to help reduce swelling and discomfort. You can use it five or six times a day for 30 seconds each time.
Taking a warm bath or using a heating pad can help relax the muscles and reduce pain.
Ice water can do the trick; sipping on a glass of cold water can help numb the mouth.
Gum massage with your fingers or even using an ice cube. Just do circular motions in the gums to help your muscles relax.
And remember that it can cause some discomfort, but the pain should not be too severe. Over time, you may get used to the feeling of having braces, and the discomfort should lessen. Just be patient.
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