Tooth Brushing Tips for Your Toddler from Barbag Dental Group in Coral Springs Florida
Good Oral Hygiene Practices Start Now with Dr. Barbag.
As a new parent, you have probably heard from your child’s pediatrician that once teeth start to come in, you should start an oral hygiene routine right away. Setting up a routine is an important first step in laying the groundwork for years to come. When your little one gets into the habit of daily brushing, it will become second nature to her, and, as she grows, her routine will be set. So, what does this entail? And more importantly, what types of products should you use for your baby’s little choppers? There are just a few items that will be needed in order to take proper care of her teeth and gums while she is an infant, then once she gets more teeth and she becomes a bit more independent, she will learn how to take care of her teeth with just a little guidance from her parents. With the help of both parent and Dr. Barbag in Coral Springs, your child will grow up with the skills that are needed for a healthy mouth and beautiful smile.
Tooth Brushing Tips for Your Toddler from Barbag Dental Group in Coral Springs Florida.
Making the tooth brushing experience fun is a great way to get your baby more involved. The friendly staff at Barbag dental group in Coral Springs can help you learn how to teach your child many tips on ways to make this routine an enjoyable practice. You can sing a silly song about teeth, or get a toothbrush with their favorite character on it. Brushing your teeth while your child brushes theirs is the perfect way for them to visually see what they should be doing. If your child is not brushing the exact way that they should at first, don’t worry, it takes practice. The most important thing is first getting the hang of the basic routine of the procedure. For a baby, the parent needs to only use a soft bristled toothbrush or a damp washcloth and lightly clean the new teeth and the gums with water. This will get your child used to the technique. While brushing new teeth, you should also softly rub the gums where no teeth have come through as of yet. When you brush or wipe the gums, you are helping to fight bacterial growth and this may also give some relief to any teeth that will be breaking the skin soon. As your baby grows into a toddler, they will then need to use toothpaste. Many dentists will suggest using a fluoride free toothpaste up until the age of about three. Before then, your young toddler will probably enjoy the taste of the toothpaste and instinctively want to swallow it. If the toothpaste does not contain fluoride, this won’t be a problem, however, if it does, it could cause damage to the teeth further down the road. Fluoride, when swallowed in higher doses, can lead to what is called dental fluorosis and will cause discolored or pitted teeth. As a parent, you must always be vigilant during tooth brushing time to make certain that your toddler is following proper techniques.
Once your child has learned to spit out the toothpaste and not swallow it, you can then begin to use toothpaste containing fluoride. Also, this can be a nice family adventure when you take her to the store to pick her own toothbrush and flavored toothpaste. There are also toothbrushes that have a little song playing and will stop when the two-minute time is up. Using just a pea-sized amount on the brush, encourage her to brush the right way. Show your toddler how to hold the brush and move it up and down on each tooth, and then how to softly brush the tongue. Once teeth grow next to each other, you can begin to teach her how to floss. First, you should do it for them and also let them see you floss your own teeth, next, they can try on their own. Again, they most likely will not get the process down pat for a while, but remember, at this time, you are teaching them the fundamentals of the process.
Should Your Toddler Wait to See a Dentist in Coral Springs?
Many parents think that their child won’t need to see a dentist until their permanent teeth come in, but this is not true. Actually, the first dentist visit should happen shortly after the first tooth comes in or around the age of one years old. Teaching children that the dentist’s office is not a scary place to visit, will give them the confidence that they need from early on. Getting a head start on visiting the dentist will also prevent any dental problems. The team at Barbag Dental in Coral Springs offer caring and experienced professionals that can treat the entire family. Dr. Barbag has more than 28 years of experience and has been serving the community for many years alongside his father Dr. Harvey Barbag in Boca Raton Florida. The dental services provided in the Coral Springs office are teeth cleaning and prevention, cosmetic dentistry, restorations, periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery, and laser dentistry.
Family Dentistry From Our Office in Coral Springs.
If you are looking for a new dentist for your family or if you have recently moved to the area, check out our office in Coral Springs. Barbag dental office will always take a new patient and we also offer emergency care whether you are a current or a new patient. We offer financing options using CareCredit which is a healthcare credit card with a credit line for treatments and procedures and can be used for your entire family. We also take most dental insurances including PPO’s. Our great office staff will even help you to submit all of the forms that are needed in order for you to receive the most from your benefits. To schedule a visit for your toddler, yourself, or another family member, visit our site here to request an appointment or for our phone number and address.
