Sometimes children brush their teeth too aggressively, leading to receding gums. It’s a bad habit to get into, which is why the Pediatric Dental Center urges parents to help their children learn proper brushing techniques.
Brushing too aggressively may result in gum recession, which is when the gum line exposes more of your teeth, or in severe cases, your tooth root. It results in a pocket of space between your teeth and gum line. Decay-causing bacteria can grow and fester in that pocket. This leads to serious issues down the line. Even tooth loss.
Longer or Harder?
The best way to get pearly whites (and prevent tooth decay) is to brush properly for a longer period o time.
Teach kids to gently brush their teeth. It doesn’t take muscle to clean food bits and plaque off of teeth. It takes careful attention, not a heavy hand.
When you are finished brushing, it’s time to floss. Be careful to (gently) get the floss down into the pocket between the tooth and gum.
When you brush your teeth rapidly, you may not be getting all the bits of food off. You don’t want the bits of food to turn into plaque.
Teach your children to be sure they brush their teeth in a slow, circular motion for at least two minutes. More is fine.
Methodically go over each tooth on every surface. Plus the tongue. Set a timer on your phone. Play your child’s favorite two-minute song.
Use a toothpaste with fluoride. The fluoride helps teeth re-harden after eating or drinking enamel-weakening acidic foods and beverages.
Need Some Help From The Tooth Fairy?
Download an app that makes brushing a game. Brush Up, Tooth Defenders, and My Virtual Tooth are some examples. Pediatric Dental Center is not affiliated with any of these.)
Characters like Superheroes and the Tooth Fairy teach proper brushing. Kids earn prizes for daily oral hygiene.
The dental hygienists at Pediatric Dental Center are another resource for oral hygiene education. We want the best possible dental health for all of our young patients. We specialize in pediatric dentistry, and early dental care, with offices in Burlington, Cold Spring and Crestview Hills KY. Schedule your child’s next checkup today!
Contact Pediatric Dental Center:
859-534-5640
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
5495 N Bend Rd Ste 102
Burlington, Kentucky
41005
