Oral Hygiene Tips

Start Early: You should actually begin good oral habits during infancy. Use a soft, damp cloth to clean your baby’s gums even before the first tooth appears. Once teeth emerge, you can use a small, soft bristle toothbrush.

Brush Twice Daily: Ensure your child brushes their teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime. Use fluoride toothpaste. We recommend using a rice-sized amount for children under three and a pea-sized amount for children three to six years old.

Floss Daily: Once your child’s teeth begin to touch, introduce flossing to remove plaque and food particles between their teeth. To make it easier for young children, use floss holders.

Limit Sugary Foods & Drinks: Reduce the intake of sugary snacks, candies and beverages, which can contribute to tooth decay. We recommend giving your child healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables and cheese, instead.

Avoid Sticky Foods: Foods like dried fruits, gummy candies or caramels can stick to the teeth, which can increase the risk of cavities.

Healthy Drinks: Promote water and milk over sugary drinks like soda. You should also avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle of milk, juice or any sweetened liquid, as this can lead to tooth decay.

Mouthguards: If your child is involved in high-contact sports, it is crucial that they wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth from injury.

Thumb-Sucking & Pacifiers: It is extremely common for babies and young toddlers to suck their thumbs or use a pacifier as a soothing method when they are young, but the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends parents try to break the habit by the age of three. That’s because this sucking motion can affect the alignment of their teeth.

Fluoride: Fluoride helps strengthen the tooth enamel and helps prevent decay. This can be through drinking water, toothpaste and at your child’s regular dental check-up.

First Dental Visit: According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should visit a dentist by their first birthday or when their first tooth appears. This helps to identify any potential problems early on and get them used to dental visits.

Routine Check-Ups: It is recommended that your child have regular dental check-ups every six months. That allows our team to monitor your child’s oral health, provide professional cleanings and apply any fluoride treatments that may be necessary. Request your child’s next appointment with us!

Sealants: Our dentists may apply a sealant to your child’s teeth during their appointment. This is a protective coating applied to the back of their teeth to help prevent cavities.