To give your child a healthy start in life, it’s important to take care of his or her teeth and gums. Children who have good oral care at home and regular dental visits can reach adulthood without suffering from oral health problems.
Children learn healthy habits from their parents, caregivers and school. You can help your child learn healthy habits by teaching the importance of cleaning their teeth daily, taking them to the dentist regularly, and giving them healthy foods. Teaching children good oral care is a great way to set healthy habits for life.
It’s important that an adult brush a child’s teeth until he or she has the skills to do it properly themselves. If your child cannot tie their own shoes, they are probably not ready to brush by themselves. You should continue to supervise your children when they are brushing. When teaching your child how to brush, you may wish to stand behind him and hold the brush. This can help your child learn the right way to brush.
By around age 10 or 11, most children should be able to brush their teeth without supervision. If you’re not sure if your child is ready, talk to Dr. Oriola. When your child is skilled enough to do proper brushing watch to make sure he or she is not “rushing the brushing”.