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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – The American Dental Association (ADA) advises parents to teach children the importance of oral hygiene at an early age, so when they grow up they will continue good habits that will contribute to their overall health. Oral hygiene, just like diet and exercise, should be factored
together when teaching children how to keep themselves healthy.
The American Dental Association offers these age-by-age tips:
Babies, Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers
After each feeding, clean the baby’s gums with a clean wet gauze pad or washcloth.
When teeth start to appear, brush them with a child’s size toothbrush and plain water.
At the direction of your dentist, some children under two may benefit from the use of
fluoride toothpaste. Look for toothbrushes that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
They have been evaluated by the ADA for safety and effectiveness.
Begin flossing when at least two teeth begin to touch.
Start dental visits by the child’s first birthday. Make visits regularly. If you think your
child has dental problems, take the child to the dentist as soon as possible.
Brush teeth of children over age two with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
and make sure to floss daily. Look for toothpastes that carry the ADA Seal of
Acceptance. They have been evaluated by the ADA for safety and effectiveness.
Children should be supervised while brushing to keep them from swallowing the
toothpaste.
School-Age Children and Adolescents
Until they are six or seven years old, continue to brush your children’s teeth twice a day with a child’s size toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Continue to assist with flossing as needed. Look for dental products that carry the
ADA Seal of Acceptance. They have been evaluated by the ADA for safety and
effectiveness.
By age six or seven, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day but
often require supervision until about age 10 or 11, to make sure they are doing a
thorough job. Since each child is different, your dentist can help you determine
whether your child is brushing and flossing properly.
Visit your dentist regularly.
Ask the dentist about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied
to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.
Adolescents may need reminders about practicing good oral hygiene, the importance
of regular dental check ups and making nutritious food and beverage choices, the
benefit of using mouthguards, and the risks of oral piercings and of tobacco use.
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