Show This To Your Kids And They Will Brush Their Teeth

How To Brush Your Teeth

As a Portland Endodontist, I see the results of poor dental hygiene every hour on the hour.  I tell my kids to brush their teeth after every meal and floss at night or they will end up in daddy's dental chair getting a root canal.  And believe me, not a night goes by when I am not hounding my kids to brush, floss, and rinse out the 'sugar bugs'.  I am a self-made expert at flossing the teeth of 5 year olds. 

Parents, if you teach your kids the following five dental tips, you will put your children on the pathway to healthy teeth and gums and save thousands of dollars in the future.

Tip 1: Be Positive

Associate good oral health with happiness.  I know this sounds funny, but as a father of five kids and a dental specialist, I can tell you that when kids associate something good with something potentially scary like dentistry, they enter my dental office with a smile and look forward to cleanings and accept treatment.

Tip 2: Make Brushing Fun

We have a drawer full of SpongeBob, Dora, Superman, Spiderman, and generic colorful toothbrushes, regular and electric.  We always use a soft brush with kiddos.  I cringe when my kids pick the first toothbrush they see at home, but I tell myself it is OK, they are learning.  Our kids use mouthrinse too, Listerine Agent CoolBlue - which tints the teeth blue to make brushing fun.  We have flossers, floss, and more floss.  And if they don't brush for 30 seconds per quadrant like we learned in dental school, so be it.  I'm just glad they are brushing.  We make it fun!

Tip 3: Start Early and Be Consistent

Most Portland dentists will tell you give your baby a tiny toothbrush to teeth on - nothing wrong with that idea.  My 3-year old niece Jane walks around the house at night with a toothbrush in her mouth and cry's when her parents put her to bed without the "opportunity" to brush her teeth.  That dedication comes with consistent positive reinforcement of good habits by parents.  Kids also mimic their parents for good or bad - so let them see you brush and floss and they will do the same.  And be consistent!

Tip 4: Have Regular Exams

Kids teeth develop at varying stages, but as soon as they have teeth they should brush them.  The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says you should take your child in for a dental check up when their first tooth appears, and no later than their first birthday.  I take my children to the dentist every six months for a regular cleaning and exam and we get regular x-rays once every two years.  And don't forget about braces.  Most Orthodontics want to see a child around the age of seven and treatment can begin as early as 8-9 years old.

Tip 5: Be Proactive

Preventive dentistry is the best dentistry.  Be proactive in getting your children loving their teeth.  Do this and they will love their dentist.  If they love their dentist they will brush their teeth.  If they brush their teeth they get to keep them, and you get to save money in the long run.  The more teeth you have the more money you have and the more time on your hands to read great dental blogs like this one:)

If you have any questions, give your local dentist a call and tell them you read The Maine Dental Blog and that you would like to schedule a new patient exam.  If your dental health has issues beyond brushing, give our office a call and we will see what we can do for you.  And lastly have fun!

David R. Steuer, DMD, MMSc.

Endodontics and Dental Implants
Dental Specialists of Maine
Biddeford, Portland, Yarmouth
(207) 879-0010