Pediatric Dental Associates (PDA) is a dentist for kids Midland Park company with the years and experience to ensure that your child maintains a healthy, sparkling smile. Learn more about our services on our homepage.

As a parent, you know you have the responsibility of keeping your child safe and healthy. That means taking all the precautions necessary. You should base those precautions on the latest information available. That holds true as much in making sure your child does his or her homework as it does in making sure that his or her teeth are clean. But what does it really take to make sure those teeth are as healthy as can be?

Well, as it turns out, that depends on your child’s age. For example, new studies have found that leaving the responsibility of teeth-brushing up to children before they are ready to do so independently can be counterproductive to their development. As ironic as it may seem, pushing your child towards independence too early can be damaging not only in your child’s youth, but in the long term as well.

Instead, some experts recommend brushing your child’s teeth for him or her in the early stages of life. This way you can set an example, and also make sure that your child receives a thorough brushing at least twice a day. And since you’re assuming this responsibility until your child reaches the age in which he or she feels ready to do it alone, here are some tips on how to do it right.

You should be brushing for at least two minutes at a time:

Brushing your own teeth for two plus minutes twice a day isn’t easy. Keeping up with the routine with someone else is even tougher. But somehow, the fact that your capacity to be responsible determines the health and wellbeing on someone else can help with motivation. A great way to pass the time is to put a song on that stretches for the exact amount of time that you want to brush for. Preferably, you should pick a song that your child likes rather than one that you like, because the real challenge won’t be in maintaining your motivation as much as it’ll be keeping your child’s attention for the full two minutes.

You should be brushing at least twice a day:

First things first, in the morning, you absolutely have to get this out of the way before you start your day. You know that grimy, dirty taste you  always wake up with? That’s the result of seven or so hours in which bacteria has had the time to build up in your gums and teeth. You’re not the only one going through this. Your child too. Then, at the end of the day, after your child has already eaten at least three different meals, you’d best believe that those teeth will be just as gnarly as they were this morning. Don’t push it aside. Get it done. Today, tomorrow, and everyday, until your child can do it on his or her own.

You should be using a toothbrush that matches the size of your child’s mouth:

It’s very important that you use a brush that has an appropriate size. If the brush is too big, you are naturally going to cut corners. That’s not a huge problem once or twice. But if you are skipping the same crucial areas of the mouth because the size of the brush doesn’t allow you to reach them, over time plaque is going to build up and your child will develop a cavity. It’s on you to make sure you reach all corners of the mouth, each and every time you brush.

Give us a call at (201) 652-7020 to learn more about our dentist for kids Midland Park services.

Dentist For Kids Midland Park