As your family eases back into your school time schedule our Elmhurst dentists encourage you to prioritize oral health as part of this routine. Today we are going to be giving you a few simple tips on how to help your child maintain a healthy smile day to day.
We know that many families find themselves in a rush as they try to get everyone out the door for school. As you establish a new morning routine, make sure that you set aside plenty of time for proper oral hygiene.
As you probably already know, both pediatric and adult dental patients should be brushing their teeth twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed. Here’s the thing: every time that your child brushes his or her teeth, he or she should be brushing gently for at least two minutes. It can be tough for people to keep up with this routine; you could try to setting a timer or listening to a song that is about two minutes long while brushing in order to make sure that you’re brushing effectively.
You can also have a chat with your child about how to care for his or her smile during the day at school. For example, if your child gets something stuck between her teeth, it is much better for her to use a small piece of floss to dislodge dental debris, rather than using a potentially abrasive tool like a toothpick. It’s also beneficial for your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day (in order to increase saliva production) and to rinse his or her smile with water after lunch and snack.
Our Elmhurst family dentists are here to help your entire family achieve and maintain oral health. Give us a call to schedule a consultation!