At Lynn Valley Dental Group, we believe that starting a child out with excellent oral hygiene habits will set them up for a lifetime of strong, healthy teeth. We understand how busy parenthood can be, but we encourage to set time aside each day to care for your child’s teeth. Below are some suggestions that can help you and your child develop a dental care routine.

Bring them in early

It is recommended that children visit the dentist within six months of their first tooth erupting. This will not only help ensure that their teeth are erupting properly, but will help them to feel safe and at ease in the dental chair. All of our staff and dentists are patient and compassionate and will do their best to make your child comfortable during their first visit.

Supervise them while brushing

It’s a great idea to supervise your child while they are brushing and to assist them when need it. This will help ensure that they no not swallow toothpaste, and that they are brushing all those hard-to-reach areas.

Of course, the goal to make sure that your child’s teeth are brushed properly, but you can make this a fun part of your family routine. Having a little song that you sing or play while the child brushes will help to let the child know how long to keep brushing for as well as keeping them amused. You may even like to reward them with a sticker for a job well done!

You do not even have to wait until your child’s teeth erupt to begin a healthy oral hygiene routine. While they are infants, you can gently wipe their gums with a warm wash cloth after feedings and before beds. This will help them get used to the routine and pave the way for healthy oral hygiene habits later on.

Select the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your child

You do not need to invest in any sort of electric toothbrush for your child, just something with soft bristles to avoid irritating the gums. Allowing your child to pick out their own toothbrush in a fun and colorful design may help encourage your child to brush by making it more fun and interesting.

If your child is prone to cavities or you are concerned with preventing decay, it is a good idea to purchase a fluoridated toothpaste. You only need a pea-sized amount, or less, depending on the amount of teeth in your child’s mouth.

Limit sugary snacks

Of course we all know that sweets like cakes, candies and donuts can wreak havoc on a child’s teeth. However, even healthier options such as granola bars and fruit contain sugar as well which can still lead to decay. Teach your child to brush their teeth, or rinse their mouth out with water after consuming snacks.

Getting an early start on dental care at home will give your child a great headstart so that they will be able to keep their baby teeth healthy and strong until their adult teeth develop. If you have other questions about your child’s teeth and oral health, please check our Frequently Asked Dental Questions page or contact us directly. At our Lynn Valley office in North Vancouver we love to see your children and play with them. We even have a waiting room just for kids with toys, TV and Nintendo Wii. Every dentist chair has an overhead TV with cartoons and channels for your kids to make their first dental experiences as pleasant as possible!