10 tips for healthy and fun children's oral hygiene

Taking care of children's mouths from the eruption of their first teeth is of great help to prevent many oral complications. prevent many long-term oral complications. in the long term. It is necessary to create oral hygiene habits from an early age and teach them to brush their teeth according to their age. In addition to choosing the most appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste, turning these moments into a fun game will make the task and supervision much easier.

As they grow, more products and accessories are added products and accessories oral hygiene products and accessories such as flossing, for which they will need some practice. If they follow a healthy diet, avoid excessive sugar intake, visit their pediatric dentist regularly and watch out for habits that can affect their oral health, they will grow up with healthy teeth and gums.

1. The importance of creating habits from an early age

Oral hygiene in babies should begin even before the appearance of the first teeth, creating a healthy care routine from the beginning. As they grow, it is key to continue helping them every day until they have the ability to brush on their own. By getting them accustomed to these habits from a young age, we ensure that they will have better oral health throughout their lives.

2. Brushing adapted to the age of children

Oral care changes as children get older. As a result, the type of brushing brushing is adapted to their hand skills and their ability to do more things for themselves.

For example, from 0 to 3 years of ageFor example, from 0 to 3 years of age, it is enough to clean the gums with a wet gauze or a brush with soft bristles. At this stage, it is very important for the parent to brush together with the child. From 3 to 6 years of ageis a good time for them to start practicing the circular or sweeping technique, although making sure they do not swallow the paste and going over it at the end. After 6 years of agethey can brush without help and introduce the use of Mouthwash if they are careful not to swallow it. Although they can brush by themselves, they should always be supervised by an adult.

3. Choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste

The type of toothbrush and toothpaste will depend on the age and individual conditions of each case.

During the first years of life (0 to 2 years of age)it is recommended to start oral hygiene by cleaning the gums with a wet gauze or a silicone thimble. From the eruption of the first tooth, a brush with very soft bristles can be used. A small amount of toothpaste is recommended for children up to 2 years of age, such as a grain of rice.
Between 3 and 6 years of ageA children's toothbrush adapted to the size of the child's mouth, with soft bristles and an ergonomic handle, is recommended. At this age, it is ideal to use a pea-sized amount of a 1000 ppm fluoride toothpaste. From the age of 6the amount of toothpaste is still pea-sized and toothpastes with 1450 ppm fluoride can be used. Children can begin to brush more independently, using brushes appropriate for their age and abilities. Brushing should always be done under adult supervision, especially to avoid swallowing the toothpaste.

It is important that beyond the amounts of toothpaste we use at each stage of growth, we take into account the amount of fluoride they contain. amount of fluoride they contain and its flavor. It must be soft and with adequate ingredients. FluorKIN Calcium y FluorKIN Children's are two strawberry-flavored toothpastes strawberry flavored toothpastes that can provide the necessary amounts of fluoride depending on their stage of development.

4. Turn brushing into a game

Toothbrushing doesn't have to be boring. In fact, the more fun it is, the easier it will be for children to normalize it. Since they they learn best by playingthey should not see oral hygiene as a punishment or an obligation, but as fun family time.

There are many ways to motivate motivate them to brush their teethfor example: playing music that lasts at least 2 minutes and invent a choreography that does not distract them from doing it well, use timers with lights or funny sounds, or tell stories so that they go through each of the surfaces of the mouth, as if each one were an invented character.

To make it even more special, buy children's brushes with attractive attractive colors and designs, They can choose a favorite character every time they have to change them, which motivates them and at the same time they feel it as their own.

5. The need for daily supervision

Parents have the responsibility to teach their children how to take care of their teeth. Not only should they be taught how to do it, but they should feel that they are they should feel that they are accompanied in the learning process.. Until they are older, they do not have the necessary skills to brush their teeth well, so they have to make sure they do not skip areas, spend time on all surfaces, use the right amount of toothpaste and do not swallow it.

Marking fixed brushing schedules, i.e., in the morning, after lunch and before bedtimethat is, in the morning, after eating and before going to bed, children will assimilate the routine as a natural part of their day. In addition, it is best to explain to them in a way that they can understand why it is important not to skip it.

6. Flossing in children

Since the toothbrush does not clean well between the teeth, from the age of 2 or 3At the age of 2 or 3, when the baby teeth can already be in contact with each other, flossing can be incorporated into their oral hygiene routine. Of course, fathers and mothers are in charge of doing it for them at the beginning. The little ones do not have the necessary coordination and will need time to learn.

To do it well, the ideal is to pass a soft thread or a flosser flosserwhich is a flosser with a handle, being careful not to make sudden movements that could hurt the gums. The latter is usually the most comfortable format for them.

7. Healthy eating for strong teeth

A balanced diet helps keep your teeth keep your teeth strong and healthy. Giving them foods rich in calcium, such as milk, yogurt or cheese, will strengthen their teeth and bones, while incorporating crunchy fruits and vegetables into their diet, such as apple, cucumber or carrot, help stimulate saliva production and naturally clean between the teeth. Moreover, drinking water keeps the mouth hydrated and clean, reducing the risk of tooth decay.

8. Avoid excessive consumption of sugars

Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars and, as a result, generate acids that attack tooth enamel. To protect their teeth and gums, you need to prepare healthy snacks for them and prevent them from snacking on too many sweets, such as candy, cookies, sugary cereals or pastries. This also includes packaged juices and soft drinks, commercial sauces and other processed products.

9. Regular visits to the pediatric dentist

Take children to the pediatric dentist from an early age, preferably twice a yearhelps detect and treat possible complications in their teeth or gums in time. In addition, your specialist can give personalized guidance on how to care for their teeth at each stage of their growth. These visits are also a way to get them used to the dentist, so that they lose their fear and see it as something natural.

10. Habits that affect oral health

Children tend to copy what they see, so adults should set an example by brushing their teeth daily and eating healthy. If children see their parents do it, they are more likely to do it too. Habits such as thumb sucking or pacifier use should also be avoided after the age of 2, as well as chewing on objects that are too hard that can alter the alignment of their teeth and the development of their jaws.