If you have kids, you know how hard it can be to get them to brush their teeth. Whether they are fighting back, just wetting the toothbrush to convince you that they actually brushed, or just smearing toothpaste in their teeth, kids know how to get out of brushing with surprising ease! However, you might be making some mistakes of your own while brushing your teeth that teach your children bad habits that won’t help their oral health. Check out the following mistakes you might be making:
Setting a Poor Example
Your children watch everything you do and want to be just like you! Brushing your teeth is no exception. However, we understand that you may not know if your child has poor brushing technique simply because you might not know if you have been brushing your teeth incorrectly. Be sure you are doing the following every time you brush:
- Brush twice a day for two minutes each time.
- Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use and up-and-down motion.
- Brush all tooth surfaces, your molars, and your tongue.
If you have been neglecting these techniques (which most people do!), then be sure to correct your own habits while also correcting your child’s.
Not Working with Your Child’s Dentist
The dentist will just about always have a recommendation for how to help your child’s teeth. Be sure to listen when they give you advice! If your child has a few cavities, try to cut back on the amount of soda you let them drink and their other sweets. When it comes to your child’s oral health, always listen to your dentist’s advice. After all, they are the professional! Plus, bringing your child to the dentist gives you the opportunity to talk about the following common problems or situations:
- Caring for your toddler’s teeth
- How to use fluoride properly
- Thumb sucking and other oral habits
- Teething and other oral milestones
Ask your Waconia dentist about any questions you may have!
Not Watching or Helping Your Child Brush
We know you want to believe that your child is as honest as they come, and maybe they are. However, we know that it’s extremely important to monitor your children while they brush their teeth, as many kids will do a mediocre job at best and skip the toothbrush entirely at worst. When it comes time for brushing, go into the bathroom with them. Help them put the toothpaste on the toothbrush; they will only need a pea-sized amount! Then, show them how they should be brushing. We know how hard it is for kids to know how long two minutes is, so play a two-minute song to keep them brushing!
Contact Us
If you want to learn more about your child’s oral health, or even ask some questions about your own, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us today! For those of you located in St. Bonifacius, Norwood Young America, or Cologne, we are conveniently located in Waconia! Call us today to learn more.
