Oral Health for Children

How can you help your children care for their teeth and prevent cavities? Start by showing your child that caring for their teeth is a priority and it can be a lot of fun. One of the things you can do initially is to let your child choose their own toothbrush.

To help protect your children's teeth from cavities, make sure you teach them to brush twice a day, floss, eat a nutritious diet low in sugar and take your child to the dentist for regular check ups. Also, you should make sure fluoride is included in your child's dental products and in their drinking water.

You should supervise your child's brushing until up to about 8 years old to insure your child has a good grasp on brushing techniques. Below are some simple brushing tips and techniques to share with your child.

• Use a pea-sized portion of toothpaste and make sure your child does not swallow it
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Start brushing on the inside of each tooth where plaque accumulates the most
• Angle the brush and make sure you brush along the outer gum line
• Don't forget to brush the tongue, too

Get more brushing tips to help your children.