BRUSHING AND FLOSSING

Some kids can be very independent and prefer to brush their teeth by themselves. However, it may take some time for toddlers and small children to develop the dexterity needed to thoroughly clean their teeth and gums. We encourage parents to allow their child to brush first in order to learn and then come help your child finish brushing to make sure they’re getting all their teeth and gums clean.

TIPS:

For small children, age 3 and up, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend using a small pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Brush your child’s teeth twice a day, in the morning and before bed, making sure to concentrate on the back molars as this is a prime location for cavities to begin. It is important to replace toothbrushes every 3 months, or more often if necessary, to get the best results when brushing.

Make brushing your child’s teeth fun! Here are some tips to help incorporate into your brushing routine:

• Integrative apps and games about brushing
• Play music while your child brushes
• Reward good brushing behavior
• Let your child pick out his favorite toothbrush and toothpaste
• Watch videos about brushing teeth
• Read stories about brushing and flossing
• Brush together — your child can learn from your example

We recognize that flossing can be challenging even for adults. Flossing is an integral step of pediatric dental care. It is important to teach your child the benefits of flossing early so that it can become a lifelong habit and part of a good oral hygiene routine.

FUN FACT: If you forget to floss, you miss cleaning 40% of your tooth surfaces.

6 MONTH CHECKUPS

At your child’s regular 6 month checkups at RVA Pediatric Dentistry we will:

• Perform a thorough cleaning
• Apply fluoride treatment as necessary
• Discuss oral hygiene routines including brushing and flossing
• Oral health education
• Digital x-rays as needed
• Dental Sealants

FUN FACT: Right-handed people chew their food on the right side of their mouths, and left-handed people chew on the left side.

PRIMARY TEETH 

Baby teeth are essential for your child’s developmental milestones. They play a vital role in learning to chew food, developing facial muscles, as well as learning to speak and enunciate words. Primary teeth also provide adequate spacing for permanent teeth.

FUN FACT: The enamel that covers the top part of the tooth is the hardest substance in the human body!

HELP YOUR CHILD AVOID CAVITIES

Cavities occur when bacteria from food particles is left on teeth for a prolonged amount of time. As sugar or food sits on teeth, an acidic environment is formed and begins to break down the tooth enamel. The process of decay starts with a demineralization (or softening) of the tooth enamel. In children, this often occurs in between teeth where it is difficult to clean. Demineralization is obvious on dental x-rays and we can work together to reverse the process and avoid a cavity. At RVA Pediatric Dentistry, we suggest three key ways to help avoid cavities:

• Begin good oral health habits early – Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly
• Limit sugary foods and drinks
• Get enough fluoride through drinking water and regular visits to the dentist for fluoride applications

FUN FACT: Baby’s teeth start forming inside the womb.