In our prior blog post, Dr. Samuels began a discussion on how important it is for your children to develop good oral hygiene habits. Unfortunately for your children, oral hygiene is not entertaining. Because of this, your children will not want to brush twice per day or for two minutes at a time. However, developing these brushing habits is important for your children to have good oral hygiene habits and a healthy life. 

Dr. Samuels treats many children at his office in Rockville, MD, and wants to help your children improve their oral health. Below, he shares some hints and tips to get your children to brush twice a day and for two minutes at a time. 

1: Create a brushing schedule

Setting up a schedule is important because it makes brushing mandatory, not optional. If you put brushing on your child’s schedule, just like school or homework, they will start to brush every day. Once it is a part of their schedule, after about 3 weeks, brushing will become habitual to your child. 

2: Reserve a song for when your child brushes

Is there a catchy tune that your child really enjoys listening to? If so, you should consider reserving this song and playing it for them while they brush. If your child knows they get to listen to their favorite song while they brush, they will begin to look forward to this time. Not only will this song make your child want to brush more often, but it will also help them brush longer, as they will want to listen to more of their favorite song. 

3: Make brushing a family activity 

If you brush with your child, you will be able to evaluate how they are doing in a better manner and ensure they are properly avoiding cavities. Here is what the ADA says about cavities in children. While your children do not need to use as much toothpaste as you, they still need to brush for the same amount of time. By brushing with your children, it will encourage them to brush for as long as you do. 

4: Buy your child an electric toothbrush

An electric toothbrush will help your child in a couple of ways. First, an electric toothbrush will help to make up for the bad form that your child employs. Secondly, using something that is motorized will be more entertaining for your children than using something that is not.

Does your child need a dental appointment?

If your child needs a dentist, Dr. Samuels is always welcoming new patients. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

As an adult, you probably take good care of your teeth by brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. If you don’t, you should start! As a parent, it is important to remember to continue to take good care of your own mouth AND also make sure your kids are doing the same.

Unfortunately, tooth decay is the most common disease amongst children. This occurs because children do not floss and brush as directed, and their parents do not take enough interest in their child’s hygiene habits. If you do look after your child’s dental care, and make sure their hygiene habits are sound, it can last them a lifetime. For more information on your child's dental hygiene, click here. 

When should your child start brushing?

As soon as your child’s first tooth breaks through the gum line, it needs to be brushed. Most parents do not know this and start brushing their child’s teeth too late. To go along with brushing, as soon as your child has two of more teeth that are touching, you should begin flossing between the teeth that are touching one another. 

In addition to brushing and flossing, it is critical that your child gets in the routine of visiting the dentist. According to the ADA, you child's first dental appointment should not be later than their first birthday!

Do you have any questions about your child’s dental hygiene or pediatric dentistry?

If you have any questions about your child’s hygiene, feel free to contact us today. Remember, your child does not require as much toothpaste as an adult, as his/her teeth are much smaller. 

If you would like to schedule an appointment for your child at our office in Rockville, MD, click here!

In our next blog post, Dr. Samuels will offer some tips to help get your child brush twice per day for two minutes at a time!