A Brush-Up on Kids Oral Care

Baby teeth are vital to the development of adult teeth, along with speech and eating patterns. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY want all of our patients to keep a healthy smile. Check out some of our reminders for helping kids keep good oral hygiene.

Even before a baby’s first teeth grow in, their gums need to be tended to. They should be wiped down with a soft cloth after feedings. As soon as the first tooth appears, it should be brushed with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is important for keeping cavities away. As soon as two of their teeth touch, they will need to be flossed. Babies and kids will need help with flossing until they can do it on their own.

Kids should begin seeing a dentist as soon as their first tooth grows in, or by the age of one if their first tooth hasn’t grown in by then. As they grow older, their dentist may want to protect their molars with seals. This keeps cavities out of the pits and grooves of molars, especially during their cavity-prone years.

One last tip is to limit thumb-sucking and pacifiers. These actually disrupt the proper placement and growth of baby and adult teeth, which can eventually lead to dental problems, speech problems, and even problems with eating.

To schedule your child’s first dental appointment, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Our Oyster Bay, NY office can be reached by calling (516) 922-5730 or by visiting our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com. 

How to Get Kids to Happily Brush and Floss

Getting kids to brush and floss their teeth isn’t always easy, but it is so important. Strong oral hygiene skills built at a young age will carry on through adulthood. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY want to give our patients ideas for making dental care a little more interesting for kids.

Interactive games are great ways to teach kids about almost anything. Use safe online resources like games and fun videos to teach your child why it is important to brush, floss, and visit the dentist. They will have fun and get a better understanding for why dental health is essential.

Games at home are also another good way to get kids brushing. Make a “monkey-see-monkey-do” game out of it. Brush and floss your own teeth in the mirror alongside your kids and have them copy you. Kids love to imitate and see it as a fun game. At the same time, they will be learning the proper way to brush!

Use something fun to keep track of the time they spend brushing. A musical timer or a toothbrush that plays music can often entice your child to participate in brushing. You want to be sure that they are not only brushing but doing a thorough job.

Kids’ oral health is important because their baby teeth are the place markers for their future adult teeth! To schedule your child’s next appointment with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists here in Oyster Bay, NY, call our office at (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com.