Important Boise Dental Habits for Young Children

Summer is a great time to remember that a child’s Boise dental health is set in motion from a very young age. Tooth decay can develop any time after their first tooth comes in, starting around 4-6 months, and good habits should start even earlier. In fact, children who develop healthy Boise dental habits when they are young – brushing teeth twice a day, flossing, limiting snacks, and regular Boise dental visits – are a firm foundation for a lifetime of good Boise dental health.

Children’s baby teeth need to be brushed

As soon as your little one’s first tooth comes in, it should be brushed. That tooth and all subsequent teeth should be brushed gently with a soft, child-sized toothbrush twice a day until the age of 2. After that a small, peas-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste can be introduced (as long as they are able to spit it out and not swallow it) from the age of 2 to 6. Even before a child’s first tooth comes in, the mouth and gums should be wiped with a soft, damp cloth or infant toothbrush after feedings. Its an unfortunate fact that poor brushing habits help contribute to kids developing cavities. Healthy Boise dental habits established early in life helps set the foundation for children as they get older. So it’s vital for parents to get their children in a healthy Boise dental routine as soon as their first tooth comes in – that way they don’t question the habit later on.

Children’s bottles and sippy cups at naptime and bedtime should be filled with water

Many parents don’t realize that children should not be put to bed with a bottle or sippy cup, unless it contains water. Instead, many parents fill these containers with milk or juice. Fruit juice or even plain milk (and formula) can be harmful to a young child’s Boise dental health. Each of these beverages contain sugar that, when left to bathe on teeth, can result in tooth decay (or even ear infections!).

Bottles or sippy cups should only be filled with water during naptime. And any time children are allowed to have sugary beverages or snacks, teeth should be either rinsed with water or brushed afterward.

Some other important habits for healthy smiles:

• Teeth that touch should always be flossed with the help of a parent until a child is able to do it himself.
• Children should first visit a Boise dentist within six months of getting their first tooth – and no later than their first birthday.
• Parents should try to eliminate saliva-transferring behaviors – such as sharing utensils and toothbrushes and cleaning a pacifier with their mouths – which are all activities that can pass harmful bacteria to a child.