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February is Children's Dental Health Month. While dental health is important all year-round, this month aims to promote healthy oral hygiene habits, so your little ones can learn to clean their teeth properly and brush off the threat of tooth decay and gum disease.
When should my children first go to the dentist?
If your toddlers haven't been to see the dentist yet, now's the time to book them in for an appointment.
According to Stanford Medicine Children's Health, your child's first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age—or within six months of their first tooth coming in.
Considering some babies don't get their first teeth until they're around 12 months old, their first check-up might not be until they're closer to 18 months old.
What can I expect at their first visit?
Their first visit to the dentist will introduce them to the world of oral hygiene.
Your kids will see the dental clinic and meet the dentist, who will examine their teeth and gums.
They'll learn what it's like to go for a dental cleaning, so they can feel comfortable and confident with their first visit and, hopefully, won't be nervous when it's time to go for regular check-ups.
During the first visit, the dentist will also take a look at their jaws, bite, and oral tissues to check on their growth and development.
Why children's dental health is important
While a bottle can give your babies comfort and help them fall asleep at bedtime, this can lead to tooth decay over time.
This is why it's important to do the last feed of the day before starting the bedtime routine and then brush their teeth afterward.
Of course, overnight feeds can be necessary when your babies are little, which can throw a wrench into this plan until they're old enough / have put on enough weight to drop the overnight feeds.
Get your kids excited about brushing their teeth
Kids learn everything from their parents and caregivers, so they'll follow your lead on pretty much everything.
If you act like brushing your teeth is the best thing in the world, they're probably going to embrace it.
Finding some fun toothbrushes that are age-appropriate for your little ones can add to their excitement level.
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Orajel Kids Paw Patrol Toothbrush
No Mouth is Too Fresh, No Tooth is Too Small
This is a Paw Patrol toothbrush by Orajel. It has soft bristles that will be gentle on your baby's sensitive gums. It has an easy-to-grip handle designed for smaller hands and the colored bristles in the center show kids where to put toothpaste.
When your kids are still little and learning how to brush their teeth, you'll want to find a fluoride-free toothpaste to help them practice the process of brushing their teeth.
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Orajel Kids Paw Patrol Fluoride-Free Training Toothpaste, 1.5-Ounce Tube
Fun, Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
This is a 1.5-ounce tube of Paw Patrol-themed fluoride-free training toothpaste by Orajel. It's pediatrician-recommended and comes in a natural fruity flavor that has no sugars, dyes, or sweeteners. Because it's fluoride-free, this toothpaste is safe if it's swallowed (as long as you follow the usage amount directed on the package).
Once they've welcomed their first pearly whites, you should brush their teeth twice a day with a small amount of toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice).
You can get them into the groove by singing songs when it's time to brush their teeth, like Raffi's classic dental ditty (sing it with me, now: ch, ch, ch, ch…ch, ch, ch, ch, ch).
Once your children turn three, it's recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when brushing. Always monitor your kids to make sure they're not using more toothpaste than that when they're cleaning their teeth.
Another way to get your toddlers excited and into a routine for dental hygiene is by giving them their very own little drinking cups for rinsing. These ones are great because they can double as a toothbrush holder.
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Two-Piece Set of Bathroom Tumblers with Toothbrush Holders
Whimsical Water Cups for Rinsing
This is a two-piece tumbler set featuring Winnie the Pooh and Piglet. Not only will kids be excited to have their own cups to rinse after brushing their teeth, but parents will be excited because these tumblers will help keep the bathroom organized because each cup has its own built-in toothbrush holder.
Prevent problems by brushing up
Teaching your toddlers about dental health is important.
Not just because they need to brush their teeth every day. But because if they take good care of their teeth right from the get-go, they'll have a positive association with visiting the dentist and will, hopefully, be able to prevent future problems with gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay when they're older.
Do your kids like cleaning their teeth or is it a battle to get them to brush? What do you do to make the process more fun for them? Let us know in the Comments section below.
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