Keeping Your Child's Teeth Clean

As a parent, you know good oral hygiene and regular pediatric dentistry visits with Dr. Keith Bever Jr. are essential for your child's oral health. Unfortunately, your son or daughter may not feel quite so strongly about oral hygiene. If brushing is a daily struggle, Dr. Bever and the staff of Keith Bever Jr DDS in Mt. Pleasant, MI, can offer a few brushing and flossing tips during your child's next visit. Until then, these suggestions may make it easier to keep your child's teeth clean.

Making brushing fun

Your kids may complain less about brushing if the process is more enjoyable. Buy brushes that light up or play music, or let your son or daughter pick out a toothbrush decorated with a colorful cartoon character.

The American Dental Association recommends brushing for at least two minutes twice a day, which may seem like an eternity to kids. If you've bought a brush that plays music, encourage your kids to brush until the music stops playing. Play two minutes of a favorite song on your phone if your kids have a standard brush.

Offer a helping hand

Children can generally handle brushing on their own by about age 7, although this varies. If your child has dexterity issues, he or she may need help longer. Daily flossing can still be difficult to manage if your child is 7 or older. Show your kids how to brush and floss and step in to help when needed.

Older children may not need help but might require supervision, particularly if they've been known to stretch the truth about brushing or flossing.

Demonstrate the importance of brushing and flossing

Brushing and flossing remove plaque from teeth and prevent the formation of tartar. When bacteria in plaque combines with sugars and carbohydrates in foods, strong acids are generated. These acids attack tooth enamel and cause cavities.

Of course, if you explain this to your kids, their eyes may glaze over. Keep it simple and mention that brushing and flossing remove germs that cause cavities. You can actually show your kids plaque with plaque disclosing tablets. Spots of plaque on teeth appear red and purple after chewing the tablets. Although you may have a little trouble finding the tablets in Mt. Pleasant stores, they're readily available online.

Pediatric dentistry helps keep your child's smile strong and healthy.

Call your dentist in Mt. Pleasant, MI, Dr. Keith Bever Jr. of Keith Bever Jr. DDS, at (989) 773-9793 to schedule your son or daughter's appointment.

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