Brushing Teeth Improves Health – Kids Pediatric Dentistry 

10 Nov Brushing Teeth Improves Health – Kids Pediatric Dentistry 

Brushing and flossing are incredibly important to your child’s oral health. There’s a reason that the American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day.

Brushing Teeth Improves Health

• Fighting Gum Disease: Gum disease also known as Periodontitis can lead to swollen gums, tooth loss and other major dental problems
• Maintain Fresh Breath: Flossing and brushing on a regular basis removes food and bacteria that causes bad breath. Another name for that is halitosis. Brushing even once a day at night will improve your breath
• Prevent Tooth Decay: A a thin layer of bacteria known as plaque can grow on teeth. If you do not remove it, it can cause cavities and tooth decay. This is why it’s a must to brush teeth, at least once a day.

Unfortunately, most children don’t want to clean their teeth, whether that means brushing or flossing. In this article, we’ll discuss a few ways you can encourage your children to brush and floss.

1. Buying a fun toothbrush – There is a wide assortment of toothbrushes made specifically for children. You can buy brushes that have superheroes, Disney characters, and other fun kid friendly themes. There are even toothbrushes that play kid friendly songs. The songs on these toothbrushes play for two minutes, helping kids to remember to brush for the appropriate amount of time. Buying the best toothbrush for your kids can make a world of difference in their oral health habits.
2. Buy dental floss picks – It takes a lot of practice to get good enough at flossing that one can quickly floss. That said, many children don’t floss because they don’t have the manual dexterity to do it properly or quickly. Floss picks encourage kids to floss by making it significantly easier (while doing the same job).
3. Brush and floss with your kids – This is a great way to make sure your kids brush and floss regularly. Doing this also allows you to ensure your children are brushing and flossing properly.
4. Create a calendar for brushing and flossing – This idea is pretty simple but can be practiced in a number of different ways. Each day your child can get a green check (or a sticker) if they brush their teeth twice and floss at some point throughout the day. If you want, you can create a reward system. If they brush their teeth for so many days in a row they get a toy or some other prize. Avoid making the reward a sugary treat though, it’s counterproductive!

Few children enjoy brushing and flossing, but with a little encouragement these two things can play a key role in their development of strong and healthy teeth.
If you have any questions, please contact Allen pediatric dentists Dr. Lisi or Dr. Alina at 972-727-0011.