Prevent Children’s Cavities and Tartar

Good oral hygiene should be one of the lifelong routines children practice daily. Teaching your children how to uphold proper dental hygiene as well as visiting your family dentist, Dr. Cynthia Garner of Garner Family Dentistry in Mount Pleasant, SC, will help you and your children fight against cavities.

Practicing Good Dental Habits

Like any routine, good oral hygiene will become second nature for your children, but it's important that they are consistently using proper techniques. Here are some tips from your family dentist in Mount Pleasant, SC, for maintaining a dental care routine:

  • Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush—cleaning your baby's gums before their teeth appear is highly recommended to remove harmful oral bacteria from feedings. Once their teeth erupt, a soft-bristled child-size toothbrush can be used with a very thin coat (about the size of a grain of rice) of toothpaste. Then in the later years, a similar toothbrush should be used but they can use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. You may need to continue assisting your child with brushing their teeth until they are around 6 or 7, then simply supervise.
  • Using proper technique with brushing and flossing—it's important to ensure that your child is gently brushing back and forth along the gum line, as well as across their front teeth. They should also brush the tongue and the back of the teeth to prevent plaque or calcified deposits, also known as tartar buildup. Flossing between each tooth can remove any food bits that may have been neglected while brushing.
  • Maintaining healthy eating habits—most of us know that sugar is a big villain when it comes to developing tooth decay. Sugar in moderation can be manageable as long as you brush twice a day and floss at least once.

Regular dental cleanings with your family dentist, Dr. Garner, in Mount Pleasant, SC, will further convey the importance of preventing cavities and having a lifelong oral care routine. To visit Garner Family Dentistry, schedule your next appointment by calling our office at 843-884-6002.

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