Your Charlotte pediatric dentist tells how kids must brush

You want your child to have excellent oral health. Simple, effective toothbrushing habits, started early, keep enamel strong and gums pink and vibrant. Learn how your Charlotte pediatric dentist, Dr. Marcela Mujica, encourages parents to teach kids the right way.

What’s the big deal about brushing?

They’re only baby teeth, right? Why fuss about brushing properly? The fact is that baby teeth support your child’s speech, nutrition, appearance and alignment of incoming adult teeth.

So, if a child takes good care his teeth at home, brushing and flossing to eliminate plaque, check-ups at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry are a breeze. Teeth last, and cavities are few and far between.

What’s the right way to brush?

According to your children’s dentist in Charlotte, brushing correctly starts with parental supervision. Without it, kids simply don’t spend enough time at the bathroom sink, and the American Dental Association maintains that 2 minutes with that toothbrush is the bare minimum. So, make a game of if, if you can, and use your phone to time little ones’ hygiene efforts.

Of course, the youngest of brushers need mom or dad to brush teeth for them. Use an ADA-approved toothpaste--about a pea-sized amount--and a junior-sized, soft-bristled brush. Older kids--ages 6 and up--can brush solo because they have the manual dexterity and know-how to do so. However, parents need to ensure kids are thorough.

Whatever the age, children should use short, gentle, back and forth strokes on each tooth right at the gum line, gradually working their way around the top and bottom teeth. They should pay particular attention to deeply grooved back molars and the back surfaces of all teeth. If they have been careful enough, brushing should take children and adults at least 2 minutes. Flossing and rinsing adds another minute or more if patients wear traditional metal or ceramic braces or have fixed bridgework or other restorations.

Additional dental guidelines for kids

Dr, Mujica likes to see her little patients for a quick “look see” by the first birthday or whenever that first tooth erupts. Routine 6-month check-ups and cleanings start at age 2. Her vigilant exams find problems early and watch for proper tooth and jaw development and also correct alignment. She checks for gum disease and tooth decay--one of the most frequently occurring diseases in young children, according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia.

Are your children brushing correctly?

Find out for sure by checking in with the friendly team at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Charlotte. Learn other tips for great oral hygiene for you and your family when you come for routine exams and cleanings with Dr. Mujica. Contact the office today for a convenient appointment time.