Throughout the month of April we have been emphasizing the importance of good dental health for children, through posts and our Facebook page. And to conclude this series of topics (although we will probably continue later) we will look at the dental hygiene habits that children should follow.
The importance of good dental hygiene habits in children
The eruption of baby teeth marks a key moment in children’s oral health. These influence food intake, the process of speech, swallowing, chewing, etc. If not properly cared for, premature loss can occur and lead to more complex problems.
Children’s dental health is very important and is taken care of through proper dental hygiene habits. As reported by Paola Beltri, president of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Dentistry (SEOP):
«Dental caries is currently the most common disease in childhood, with a high incidence in preschoolers.»
Tooth decay is one of the main problems in children, and the number of children with 31% of Spanish children under 6 years of age have caries, which means that 7 million baby teeth are affected. These are the data that the president of the SEOP moved on the occasion of the World Oral Health Day.
That is why it is so important that parents and their dentists participate in the oral health education of children. It is our task to teach children the correct brushing and oral hygiene habits that they should incorporate into their daily lives.
Because as we have told you on other occasions, it is important for children to see a dentist twice a year for healthy oral development. In Cervantes Dental Clinic in Granada we count with specialists in children’s dentistryThey are in charge of helping to create those dental hygiene habits.
What dental hygiene habits should children follow?
By providing dental hygiene education to children, we make them feel that oral care is part of their daily routine, carrying it out naturally and thus preventing the development of future problems.
That is why it is so important that they follow dental hygiene habits such as:
- Daily brushing: Brushing should be done after every meal, especially the last brushing of the day, the evening brushing. Choose a toothbrush suitable for your child’s age, with an ergonomic and thick handle for easy maneuverability. In addition, to motivate them, you can choose a brush with bright colors and animated figures.
- Complete tooth brushing: Brush the inside of the teeth, the external area, the biting surface and the tongue, always following the same order. And remember that brushing goes from the gum to the tooth.
- Toothpaste: Daily brushing should be accompanied by a toothpaste containing an adequate amount of fluoride according to their age. Fluoride helps to strengthen enamel and decrease the likelihood of tooth decay. In this post we talk about toothpaste for children.
- Mouthwash: From the age of 5 they can use mouthwash after brushing their teeth. Choose one that does not contain alcohol or colorants.
- Teach your child to floss: Flossing removes plaque where the toothbrush cannot reach, prevents the development of interproximal (between the teeth) caries and prevents the onset of gum disease. The recommended age to begin flossing after every meal is around 6 years old, but they should have adult assistance until they are able to do it on their own.
- Clean their gums: When they are babies, before the first teeth appear, it is very important to clean their gums daily with a clean and wet gauze after each bottle feeding.
- Renew your child’s toothbrush: To achieve better dental hygiene it is necessary to change the child’s toothbrush every 3 months.
- Limit the consumption of sugar: The abuse of sugary foods should be avoided and a good dental cleaning should be performed after consumption. Candies, sweetened cereals, sugary drinks, sweets or jelly beans are the stickiest sugars and the most harmful due to their retention capacity.
- Visit to the pediatric dentist: As we mentioned in a previous post where we talked about the pediatric dentist or children’s dentist, it is important that from the first year your child visits the children’s dentist in Granada to check that their teeth are developing correctly.
Have you had your child’s first visit to a pediatric dentist?
In Cervantes Dental Clinic in Granada we have an exclusive orthodontist, for early diagnosis and if necessary treat them with functional appliances that direct bone growth and proper eruption of permanent teeth.
In addition, for children we perform preventive treatments such as pit and fissure sealants. We teach them how to brush so that they have a correct technique.
It is also very important to maintain the space left in the mouth by the loss of a temporary tooth. This is done with space maintainers until the eruption of the definitive tooth to avoid subsequent crowding.
Because we care about the dental health of the little ones of the house, we advise you properly to treat the case of your child in specific.
Book the first appointment with the dentist for your child, just call or write us, we will be happy to assist you.
Smile is a universal language. Come to our dental clinic in Granada and we will advise you. First appointment free of charge!
