Improving Oral Hygiene In Children

It is extremely important to promote good oral hygiene in children because their future dental hygiene depends on it. Children can also get cavities in their teeth.

The best way to combat this problem is by preventing and learning about good habits of oral hygiene from childhood. Do you want to find out how you can maintain oral hygiene in children? Read here!

What is oral hygiene in children?

Caring for your children’s teeth is about much more than just preventing your teeth from turning yellow. While it is a problem that bothers us aesthetically, good oral hygiene is much more than just having shiny white teeth.

When we talk about keeping their mouths clean, we are talking about teeth, cheeks and tongue. A healthy mouth is:

• Healthy and white teeth without leftover food or the presence of plaque and / or tartar.
• Pink gums that do not bleed or hurt when brushing teeth.
• Fresh breath.

What do children need to be able to take care of their teeth at home? Need to buy more than just a toothbrush and toothpaste?

Oral hygiene products for children

Dentists recommend that we adults  brush our teeth, floss and mouthwash  at least twice a day. What about children? Let’s look at what they need to keep their mouths clean and healthy.

• Toothbrush:  It should suit the age. You can ask a trusted dentist what kind of brush is best for the kids. It is also important for children to learn to brush their teeth manually, even if they have an electric toothbrush.
• Toothpaste: Choose a toothpaste that suits their age. Also, talk to your dentist about the best brand and whether or not it should contain fluoride.

• Flossing: We recommend that children start flossing with the help of around 4 years of age. Around the age of 8- and 9, they will be ready to use it themselves.

Tips for oral hygiene in children

Good oral hygiene in children is based on prevention! The first step in getting our children healthy, white teeth, of course, is to take care of them before they get into trouble. For this, it is important to follow these tips:

1. Start brushing your teeth from a young age

We often think that oral hygiene in children is only about brushing their teeth, but this is not the case. For that reason  , it is important to take care of your children’s mouths from the time they are babies.

Clean their gums with a piece of gauze. When the teeth begin to emerge, brush them gently. That way , you can prevent them from developing cavities in your teeth.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day

Ideally, children should brush their teeth three times a day: when they wake up, after lunch and after dinner. Proper toothbrushing means:

• Put a bit of toothpaste on the toothbrush. It should not be more than the size of a pea.
• Brush the inside of the teeth first, one by one. Remember to hold the toothbrush at an angle so you can brush your teeth where they meet with the gums.
• Clean the outer part of the teeth, one by one. Keep brushing at an angle.
• Brush the top of the teeth, one by one. In addition, pay special attention to the back of the teeth.
• Lastly, do not forget to brush your tongue.

If your child is over four years old,  you can start flossing and making sure they do not damage their gums. Be patient, because it will probably be difficult to start with.

Note:  It is important to change the toothbrush regularly when it starts to look worn.

3. Avoid large amounts of sugar

Of course, children can eat sweet things, but in moderation. For example, sweets are stuck in their teeth. If the little ones then do not brush their teeth, then the sugar will ruin their teeth and cause cavities in the teeth.

4. Eat a balanced diet

A healthy diet is not only good for your health but also for your dental hygiene in particular. Include foods rich in calcium, phosphorus and fluoride in your baby’s diet  so they have strong and healthy teeth!

5. Choose water as the preferred beverage

Sugary drinks can damage the teeth. Imagine if your child does not clean his teeth after drinking a glass of juice. The sugar then stays in their mouth and can cause various problems.

6. Go to the dentist

Children should see a dentist at least once a year. Take advantage of that moment to talk to them about how best to take care of children’s teeth.

Lastly, oral hygiene in children is essential,  not only for the present but also for the future. If you have any questions about toothbrushing, talk to your dentist. No one can give you better advice than them.