Keep Those Little Teeth Healthy!

Here’s what you can do to help your kids develop healthy dental habits and keep their teeth in tip-top shape.

- Amy Greenburg

Healthy Habits

Setting the groundwork for your child’s smile starts with healthy baby teeth. DR PAULINE LEE of Smilefocus shares five important dental habits to instil in your children now.

#1 Two-minute brushing, twice a day

Everyone knows we should brush twice a day, but did you know that research supports a minimum duration of two minutes each time?

“The longer we brush, the more plaque we remove from more areas in the mouth – and the longer the contact time between our teeth and the fluoride toothpaste. In fact, as long as you’re using the right amount of toothpaste for your child, you can even eliminate rinsing altogether!”

#2 Nothing but water after bedtime brushing

When we sleep, several things happen: saliva production in our mouth decreases, we stop moving our lips and tongue around, and we don’t swallow as much, explains Dr Lee. So, if we eat or drink anything before bedtime, the risks of developing gingivitis, tooth decay and bad breath increase, as the food or drink particles stick around for a long time.

“Instil this habit right from the start so your little ones would never think to go to bed without their teeth feeling squeaky clean!”

#3 Chew, chew, chew, swallow!

“The longer food stays in your mouth, the more time the bacteria has to start feasting on food particles and produce cavity-causing acid,” says Dr Lee. “We often see a greater incidence of cavities in children who pouch or pocket their food in their cheeks. Try to remove any distractions – like iPads – during meal times so that your child stays focused!”