According to Baby Center, dental hygiene is an important part of a toddler's daily routine because teeth brushing and other dental care activities started early will promote lifelong health of the teeth and gums. There are different activities parents can do with their toddlers to make dental hygiene more fun and more effective in the process. Brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist are the three most important ways to instill good dental hygiene habits in toddlers.
Teeth Brushing
One of the most effective ways to keep a toddler's teeth and gums healthy is through daily brushing. Kid's Health recommends that toddlers brush their teeth two times each day. Parents are encouraged to provide a toddler-sized toothbrush and a small pea-sized amount of toothpaste and supervise proper brushing techniques as well as spitting. Kid's Health advises parents to teach their toddler how to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallowing it. Baby Center weighs in by encouraging parents to allow their toddler to choose his own toothbrush to make brushing more fun. Electric toothbrushes with noises also motivate toddlers to brush, says Baby Center. Parents are also encouraged to brush their teeth with their toddler to make it a family activity that a toddler can look forward to.
Flossing
Flossing is an important dental hygiene activity that can prevent cavities and clean between toddler's teeth. Joel Berg, a pediatric dentist who offers his expert advice to Baby Center, recommends that parents begin flossing their toddler's teeth as soon as they begin touching one another, which can happen as early as age 2 1/2. Toddlers are too young to properly floss their own teeth so parents must take charge of ensuring that proper flossing technique is used until a toddler is older. There are many different floss products made specifically for children that can make flossing more fun.
Visiting the Dentist
According to Kid's Health, the American Dental Association recommends that a child visit the dentist before his first birthday. These early visits will ensure that parents are using proper brushing and flossing techniques as well as allow a pediatric dentist to perform an exam that may indicate potential problems. Kid's Health supports early dentist visits as a way to get a child accustomed to going to the dentist so they will not be scared of the dentist as they get older. As a toddler gets older, usually around age 2 1/2, a dentist visit may include a topical application of fluoride to help prevent cavities, oral disease, or dental caries. Kid's Health recommends that parents follow up at home with proper dental hygiene in order to support what a dentist teaches a toddler so that lifelong healthy dental habits will be learned.
