We're All Forgetting To Brush Our Kids, Teeth In This Vital Place, According To Dentist.

Here are some additional tips on caring for your child's teeth.

1. Brush your child's teeth with a soft, child-sized toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. The American Dental Association (ADA) says that for children 3 and under you only need a rice-grain-sized dab of toothpaste. For kids over 3, use a pea-sized amount.
2. Regardless of whether you or your child is doing the brushing, do it for at least two minutes twice a day, Using a fun character-themed brush or a battery-operated spin brush may encourage your child to brush longer.
3. Continue to brush or supervise brushing until your child is at least 8 years old. "A good rule of thumb is that when the child can tie their own shoes, they can usually brush their teeth on their own,"
4. According to the ADA, Once your child's teeth begin to touch you should add flossing to your brushing routine. Disposable plastic flossers may be easier to use than string floss.
5. Don't use mouthwash before age 6 , since a child may not be able to spit it out properly. Resist the temptation to swap out mouthwash for brushing, too. "There really is no substitute for brushing," So warns "It is the best way to remove food and plaque from the teeth."
6. Brush after eating sticky foods that can catch in your child's teeth (crackers and raisins are two main culprits). And never let your child go to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. According to WebMD, this can cause "baby bottle tooth decay" because of the sugar in the liquids that clings to a child's teeth all night long.

Keeping your children healthy and safe is a lot of work, to be sure, but following these simply brushing trips and tricks can help make sure your little one has healthy teeth and gums that'll last them a lifetime.