Teaching Children Good Dental Hygiene

Oral hygiene is an important part of overall health, and even young children can begin making good habits that can last a lifetime. Parents should begin brushing babies' teeth as soon as they appear although only a tiny smear of toothpaste should be placed on the brush. After the age of two, it is appropriate to use a little bit more toothpaste. Flossing should begin as soon as teeth start to come out that are next to one another.

Most children need to be closely supervised while brushing until the age of six or so. Prior to this age, their motor skills tend to be too underdeveloped to brush on their own. However, parents can still instill good dental habits early on by brushing children's teeth twice per day and teaching the child to only have water at night after the last brushing. Parents can also talk to children about the importance of taking care of their teeth and model regular brushing.

As children's molars come in, they need to be reminded about the importance of cleaning these teeth, too. By the age of 12, children should be able to floss on their own. 

Parents can also begin to demystify the dentist as a friendly place. Talking to the children about visiting the dentist as a positive experience and describing how good teeth feel after a cleaning helps children anticipate dental visits with pleasure rather than anxiety.