DENTAL CARE FOR TODDLERS

Good dental hygiene is non-negotiable! Everyone needs to take care of their teeth and we owe it to our kids to make sure that we teach them the right way.

TOOTH TRUTH

Your little one’s baby teeth can appear in no particular order. Generally speaking, the incisors (front teeth) will show first and the rest will follow. Babies will grow 20 teeth in total and they will usually all have arrived by their third birthday.

Dental hygiene

Ensuring that your child has good dental hygiene is a key part of looking after their health. Dentists recommend that you help your child to brush their teeth at least twice a day. Once in the morning and the second time just before bed. Use a small amount of toothpaste on a gentle child-specific toothbrush.

As they grow and learn, your child will naturally want to brush their teeth by themselves. You can phase them into this by initially letting them clean their teeth and then you can help out at the end by getting any spots you suspect they may have missed. They get to be involved and you know that they’re teeth are properly clean. Every child is different but most will need some form of assistance until roughly seven years of age.

Even if you feel they are doing a good enough job, it’s worth supervising from time to time to ensure that they’re brushing their teeth thoroughly. Once you feel they’re able, consider helping them get into the habit of using mouthwash and flossing and they’ll have a complete dental hygiene routine.

Here’s a 5-step guide to helping your child brush their teeth: