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Children’s Dental Care Mosinee: The Importance of Proper Teeth Brushing in Children

Introduction

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and it’s the perfect time to emphasize the importance of children’s dental care Mosinee. Nearly every parent understands the importance of regular teeth brushing to maintain their little one’s dental health, but not all parents know the best method for helping their kids brush or the best tools to use. While some parents prefer electric brushes over traditional ones (and there are many advantages to electric brushes), we recommend demonstrating proper brushing with a manual toothbrush before moving on to an electric model. Whether using a manual or electric toothbrush, we strongly recommend soft bristles for your kids’ brushes.

Parents can begin using a soft children’s toothbrush with just water for babies as young as 1 year old; some dentists recommend regular brushing as soon as the teeth emerge, if the infant can handle it. Children’s low-fluoride toothpaste can be introduced when your child reaches 18 months. We strongly recommend that you help brush your little one’s teeth at least twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed—to remove and prevent plaque buildup that leads to tooth decay and gum disease, which is a crucial part of children’s dental care Mosinee.

Proper Brushing Technique

The following instructions will help you brush your child’s teeth consistently and effectively:

  1. Place a pea-sized drop of low-fluoride toothpaste onto a soft-bristled children’s toothbrush. You don’t want to overdo it with the paste—more isn’t better.
  2. If your child is small, sit them in your lap, facing away from you. For taller children, you can stand behind them. Gently tilt their head back against your body, which will allow you to see all the surfaces of their teeth.
  3. Angle the bristles of the toothbrush towards the gums at about 45 degrees. Gently move the brush in tight circles to clean the outer surfaces of the teeth and gums.
  4. Continue the same circular motion to gently brush the inner surfaces of the teeth and gums.
  5. For the chewing surfaces of the teeth, use a gentle forward and backward motion.
  6. After brushing every surface of the teeth, encourage your child to thoroughly spit out the toothpaste. It’s not necessary to have your child rinse their mouth after brushing; the small amount of toothpaste left will continue to protect against tooth decay.

We recommend brushing for at least two minutes each session, with most of the time spent addressing the back molars, where cavities most frequently form. Modeling these actions will go a long way in helping your child develop life-long healthy dental habits. Along with a good diet, daily flossing, and regular visits to the dentist, children will have all the tools they need to maintain a healthy smile for life.

Concerning Facts Related to Children’s Dental Care Mosinee

Helping your children brush properly has a significant impact on their health. Here are a few statistics supporting the need for proper brushing and good oral hygiene habits for children:

  • Almost 20% of kids over the age of two have untreated cavities.
  • Tooth decay is found in about 20% of 4- and 5-year-olds; by age 17, over 85% of young people have some form of tooth decay.
  • Children are five times more likely to suffer from tooth decay than from asthma.
  • Kids miss more than 51 million school hours each year due to dental-related problems.
  • Poor dental hygiene can affect the self-esteem and school performance of children, making them less likely to smile or engage in conversation.
  • Poor dental hygiene in children can lead to poor nutrition and chronic sleep problems.

Taking care of children’s dental care Mosinee from a young age is essential to avoid these common problems and ensure their overall well-being.

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