​​Start Early to Keep Your Child’s Teeth & Gums Healthy

As a parent or caregiver, it’s important to start early when it comes to teaching your child about good oral hygiene habits. When kids learn how to keep their teeth and gums healthy at a young age, it stays with them for life. Here are a few benefits your child can expect: 

  • Avoiding Dental Problems: One of the main reasons to teach your child good oral hygiene habits is to prevent cavities and gum disease. When kids learn to brush and floss their teeth correctly, they are less likely to get cavities and other dental problems.
  • Create Lifelong Habits: When you teach your child good oral hygiene habits early, you help them develop habits that will last throughout their lives. Just like brushing their teeth before bed, flossing will become a normal part of their daily routine.
  • Save Money on Dental Treatments: By preventing cavities and tooth decay, you can also help your child avoid expensive dental treatments in the future. Regular check-ups and cleanings cost much less than fillings, crowns, and other treatments for serious dental problems.

If you are hoping to pass along good oral hygiene habits, here is where you can start: 

  • Brush your child’s teeth as soon as they come in, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste. Even before then, wipe your infant’s gums with a soft washcloth to keep their mouth healthy.
  • Once your child is old enough, show them how to brush their teeth on their own. Use a timer to ensure it’s at least two minutes. Your child needs to be monitored until they are about 8 years old. 
  • Once two teeth start to touch, floss your child’s teeth. Around the same time that your child learns to brush on their own, they can start flossing on their own, too. Bring your child in for a checkup, starting around their first birthday or around the time their first tooth comes in.

If your little one loves fun videos, here is a video you can watch together that talks about teeth and their importance:

Need to make an appointment for your child? Call Paul Lee, DDS today at 713-677-2011 for an appointment in Houston, TX. You can also ​​schedule online.