It is important to be aware of common dental hygiene mistakes. Catching these behaviors in the early stages will help you create a better oral hygiene routine for your child. Here are the most common dental hygiene mistakes that can children’s teeth.
Brushing Too Hard
Brushing hard might seem like a great way to thoroughly clean your children’s teeth. Unfortunately, it can cause damage to the protective layer of the teeth. Teaching children to brush gently, but effectively will give you the same clean results without wearing away enamel.
Only Brushing Once Daily
Brushing daily is good but brushing twice per day is much better!Although children’s teeth are often spaced far apart, they still have buildups of plaque and bacteria that can lead to problems if not kept
clean.
It is important to build healthy habits by teaching your children to brush their teeth on a regular basis, at least twice a day.
Using Teeth Improperly
Teeth should only be used for chewing food. Using them for other things, such as holding objects or tearing things, can cause damage to the teeth. Nail biting, for example, can cause strain to the teeth. It is incredibly important to teach your children to only use their teeth for chewing their food.
Inadequate Time Spent Brushing
Generally, two full minutes of brushing are needed to effectively remove food particles and plaque from the surface of teeth. Unfortunately, many children rush the process of brushing their teeth. Consider using a little sand timer app or an electric toothbrush that runs in two minute cycles.
Using Mouthwash Instead of Brushing
Some people think that they can use mouthwash in place of brushing or flossing their teeth. It is important to teach your children that while mouthwash can be a valuable addition to an oral hygiene routine, it is still absolutely essential to brush and floss your teeth regularly.
Not Using Children’s Toothpaste
It is important that your children use child-specific toothpaste. Each has different formulas, free of ingredients that are harmful to ingest, as children are more likely to accidentally swallow toothpaste. You may want to check and see if the product has been approved by the ADA. This will help to ensure that the product meets a certain set of standards.
Storing Toothbrush Improperly
Storing toothbrushes in the right place will keep them clean. When you store toothbrushes in a drawer or in open air in the bathroom, it will likely cause bacteria to grow on the toothbrush, which will then transfer to your mouth. Keeping toothbrushes in a closed container, stored in an upright position to allow them to dry thoroughly and protect them from particles in the air.
Ignoring Gums and Tongue
Often when people brush their teeth, they focus primarily on their teeth. Teach your children that it is important to focus on cleaning other parts of their mouth as well. They should pay special attention to their gums and tongue.
Brushing Immediately After Eating
Eating causes the enamel layer of the teeth to soften, which makes your teeth more vulnerable to damage for about 30-60 minutes. When your child brushes their teeth immediately after eating, they are far more likely to damage the enamel of their teeth.
Not Replacing Toothbrush
Toothbrushes need to be replaced on a regular basis. When they aren’t replaced around every 3 to 4 months, they tend to become far less effective.
Skipping Dental Visits
Visits to the dentist aren’t just for when there is a problem with your child’s oral health. It is important for them to visit the dentist regularly for cleanings. This will allow your child’s dentist to detect potential issues in the early stages, which can prevent substantial problems from arising.
Not Staying Hydrated
Ensuring that your child drinks water on a regular basis can go a long way toward improving their oral health. Regularly sipping on water helps to flush out harmful particles from the surface of the teeth. It is also important to stay hydrated to prevent your mouth from drying out. A dry mouth allows bacteria to accumulate more quickly, which can result in damage to the teeth.
Eating Too Much Sugar
The extreme consumption of sugar is an incredibly common cause of oral health issues in children. When they reduce their sugar intake, it is likely to have incredible positive benefits to the health of their teeth.
Not Flossing
No matter how well a child brushes their teeth, they still need to floss. Food particles and plaque can become trapped in the spaces between the teeth. These particles can only be removed through thorough, effective flossing. Ensure that your child flosses on a daily basis to provide thorough protection for the health of their teeth.
The Wrong Kind of Toothbrush
Consult with your child’s dentist to identify the best kind of toothbrush to meet your child’s needs. The main thing to keep in mind is to generally stay away from hard-bristled toothbrushes. These hard bristles can cause damage to the enamel layer of the teeth.
At Mountain View Pediatric Dentistry, we are passionate about providing the dental services that your child needs to implement superior oral health. Ensuring that you avoid various common dental hygiene mistakes can go a long way toward improving their oral health and preventing issues before they start. To learn more about the services that we offer and how they can protect your child’s oral health, contact us at Mountain View Pediatric Dentistry today!