How to Initiate Good Dental Practices For Toddlers

Teaching your toddler proper dental care is an important part of parenting as begin to learn good health habits and understanding of how important teeth are. Good dental health habits will help them avoid cavities, which could eventually lead to other dental issues in adulthood. As children grow, their teeth go through different stages of development and here are different practices that will help keep their teeth healthy.

Things You'll Need

• A Children's toothbrush
• Flavored toothpaste or toothpaste with a very light minty taste
• A step stool (if your child can't reach the sink)
• toothbrush holder
• disposable cups

Instructions

Make Tooth Brushing Fun

1. 

   Since toddlers like to play and usually have a shorter attention span, it can be difficult to get them to brush their teeth. Fortunately, there are a variety of toothbrushes you can buy that have cartoon or storybook characters as part of the handles.They are easy to grip, often fitting the curve of the palm.

2. 

   Use disposable cups, if possible, for rinsing. You can also get disposable, or other children's plastic cups decorated with their favorite cartoon, storybook, or movie characters.

3. 

   Purchase a toothbrush holder, preferably one with a lid that can be closed. If not, purchase a wall-mounted toothbrush holder that can be put above or to the side of your sink, but well out of reach of your toddler. You want to make sure your toddler will not be able to get their hands all over the bristles of the brush when they are in the bathroom alone. This way there will be less likely of having a transference of bacteria your toddler may have on their hands.

4. 

   Brush your teeth at the same time that your toddler brushes their teeth. Children love sharing time and activities with mom and dad. This also gives you a chance to teach your toddler proper brushing techniques. Children not only mimic a parent's language and behaviors, they mimic actions and good habits.

5. Only put a very small drop of toothpaste on your toddler's toothbrush. Like my grandson, it takes most young children a long time to understand and get the process down for rinsing the mouth and spitting the water out into the sink. A very small drop of toothpaste, if swallowed, will not hurt your toddler.

6. 

   You may want to play or sing a tooth brushing song as an extra encouragement for your toddler to want to brush their teeth. This is optional and only a personal choice.

7. 

   Make the tooth brushing experience comfortable for your toddler. A step stool may make it easier to reach the sink .

8. 

   If you have a mirror above your sink, see if it is low enough that your toddler can see themselves brushing. You can always put a small, second mirror, below your existing mirror in order for everyone to be able to have a mirror to use.

Going to the Dentist

1. 

   You should take your toddler to the dentist when they turn a year old, even if they were taken to the pediatric dentist, as an infant, at six months. Always take your toddler to a pediatric dentist if there is one available. Since toddlers may begin having loose teeth as early as 4 years old and they have baby teeth, they need to see the pediatric dentist because of their speciality in dental care for young children.

2. 

   Going to the dentists, like going to the doctor, can be a scary experience for young child as this is uncharted territory. There are books, and even coloring books that you can purchase to read and discuss with your toddler. You may even be able to get a free book or coloring book from the dentist to take home and share with your toddler before they even visit the dentist.

3. 

   If you live in an area or community where the water is not flouridated, the pediatric dentist may want you to give your child a fluoride pill daily. The fluoride pills are flavored and chewable. Although fluoride pills are good for dental health many parents do not want their child to take fluoride pills. This is something you should take up with your pediatric dentist. Fluoride helps strengthen teeth.

Nutrition and Dental Health

1. 

   Your toddler should be given plenty of yogurt, milk and cheese. The calcium helps ensure strong teeth and bones, including the bones of the jaw and face.

2. 

   Do not let your toddler drink anything but water after their last brushing at bedtime. The sugar in juices, milk, soft drinks, etc. will lay along the gum line and around the teeth and will cause tooth decay not only in the baby teeth but can cause decay in the underlying adult teeth that are already formed.

3. 

   Limit the amount of sugary foods and snacks your toddler eats as these cause tooth decay. Have your toddler brush after eating a sugary snack.

4. 

   Avoid sugary giving your toddler sugar coated cereals for breakfast and avoid putting processed sugars on cereals as much as possible. Try flavoring cereal with banana or strawberry slices or even raisins. Avoid donuts with icings and glazes, sprinkles, and other high sugar toppings. If you want to give your toddler donuts occasionally consider plain cake donuts with on toppings. Granola or breakfast bars can have a lot of sugar in them also, so be sure and read the ingredients.

Tips & Warnings

• Many pediatric dentists will let your toddler sit in your lap, or let you sit next to them, during the first couple of appointment. This may make your toddler feel less afraid or nervous.

• If your toddler panics or begins to cry when you first get them into the dental chair, use a soothing tone and talk to them child about their fears.

• Ask the dentist to speak with your toddler, showing them the dental tools and telling them what each one is for and how the dentist is going to make sure they keep that pretty white smile.

• Always have your toddler wash their hands before brushing.

• If any dental concerns arise such as if your toddler should fall down and damage a tooth, if the gums should bleed or your toddler should bite down on something that may cut their gum, white blister appear, etc. be sure and call your toddler's dentist.