It is necessary that you search for a “pediatric dentist near me” as part of your child’s dental health, but more than having a good dentist, you also need to teach your kids proper dental hygiene.
Teaching children good dental hygiene habits early helps lay the groundwork for lifelong oral health. Primary teeth help hold space for permanent teeth and support proper speech and chewing. When baby teeth are lost too soon or affected by cavities, it can lead to alignment issues or infections later on.
From ages 0 to 3, a parent should brush their child’s teeth and help reduce habits such as thumb sucking. From ages 4 to 6, children can continue building these habits, and parents can allow them to start brushing their own teeth with guidance. Proper dental guidance leads to lifelong habits and a healthy dental history.
Start Brushing as Soon as Your Baby’s First Teeth Appear
Once your baby’s first tooth appears, around six months of age, begin gently brushing with a soft children’s toothbrush and water. You can also use a soft, wet cloth to wipe the teeth and gums. Clean all surfaces of the teeth and gums twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime.
Children Under Three
Children under 3 years of age should have their teeth brushed by an adult. The use of fluoridated toothpaste in this age group depends on the level of risk. Parents should consult a pediatric dentistry professional to determine whether a child up to 3 years old is at risk of developing tooth decay.
If such a risk exists, the child’s teeth should be brushed by an adult using a minimal amount of fluoridated toothpaste (a portion the size of a grain of rice). If the child is considered to be at low risk, the teeth should be brushed by an adult using a toothbrush moistened only with water.
Children Ages Three to Six
Children aged 3 to 6 should have an adult help them brush their teeth. Only a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste, about the size of a green pea, should be used.
Brush, floss, eat healthy foods, and book a dental appointment at Westgate Dental & Implant Centre to maintain your child’s healthy smile.
Prevent Cavities By Eating Healthy Foods and Other Practices
Be careful not to pass cavity-causing bacteria to your baby:
- Avoid kissing your baby on the mouth; aim for the cheeks or forehead instead.
- Do not share utensils or blow on their food.
- Do not share toothbrushes.
If your baby is 6 months old, you can begin offering small amounts of breast milk, infant formula, or water between meals:
- Drinks should be consumed in one sitting.
- Avoid sugary beverages, including fruit juices.
- After 6 months, water is the best drink besides breast milk when your child is thirsty.
- By age 1, your baby should be using an open-lid cup instead of a bottle.
Make healthy food choices for your child:
- Avoid sticky and sugary foods, such as fruit roll-ups, and opt for healthier options like raisins.
Frequent snacking can increase the risk of cavities, especially when foods are sweet or sticky. Healthy snack options include cheese, whole grain crackers, yogurt, and fresh fruits and vegetables. For drinks during snack time, offer plain water or milk.
Reduce Thumb Sucking
If your infant starts thumb sucking, know that it is completely normal. Some children even begin the habit before birth. Thumb sucking is a natural reflex that helps babies feel secure and comforted. In most cases, as babies grow and become more aware of their surroundings, the habit will gradually fade and stop on its own between ages two and four. After age four, however, thumb sucking should be discouraged.
This is because prolonged thumb sucking can harm your child’s developing teeth. Depending on how often and how strongly your child sucks, it can cause the teeth and jaws to shift out of alignment and change the shape of the roof of the mouth. According to Ahmed ZN et al., thumb sucking may contribute to the development of an asymmetrical anterior open bite.
Easy ways to help your child stop thumb-sucking
- Keep your child’s hands busy with puzzles, games, crafts, or other favourite activities.
- Try limiting TV time because many children suck their thumbs without realizing it while watching.
- Use a bandage or a bitter-tasting nail coating as a reminder not to suck. If it comes off, replace it calmly without making your child feel embarrassed.
- Gently remove your child’s thumb from their mouth during sleep. Nighttime thumb-sucking is the hardest to break and may take up to 3 months to stop.
- Avoid stressful situations while your child is trying to quit, since they may use thumb-sucking for comfort.
- Praise your child when they go without thumb-sucking during activities where they usually do it. Avoid shaming or punishing them.
Flossing
Flossing should begin once your child has two teeth next to each other, which happens around ages 2 to 3. Before this stage, flossing is not necessary. Many children will need help flossing until they are about 10 to 11 years old.
How to floss your child’s teeth:
- Take a length of floss about the same length as your child’s arm. Wrap the ends around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches of floss between your hands. Use your index fingers to guide the floss between the teeth.
- Slide the floss gently between two teeth and curve it into a “C” shape around the tooth.
- Move the floss up and down along the tooth surface 2–3 times (or more) until the area feels clean. Floss both sides of each tooth, including the back of the last molars.
- Use a fresh section of floss for each tooth. When you’re finished, wrap the used floss into a small ball and throw it in the trash.
Set a Dental Visit for Your Child's Dental Care
The Canadian Dental Association advises that infants should be examined by a dentist within six months of their first tooth appearing or by their first birthday. The goal is to have your child seen before any dental problems develop. In most cases, a dental exam every six months allows the dentist to catch small issues early.
Three reasons to take your child to Westgate Dental & Implant Centre in Maple Ridge, British Columbia:
- Confirm whether your home cleaning routine is effective.
- Identify and treat problems early.
- Your child learns that dental office visits help prevent issues.
Your dentist may also recommend X-rays to detect decay between teeth and show whether teeth are coming in correctly. They may also discuss fluoride with you.
Once your child’s permanent molars appear, your dentist may suggest sealants to protect them from cavities. Sealants are a plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of molars to prevent food and bacteria from getting trapped.
During a dental exam, your dentist can also assess whether crooked or crowded teeth may cause problems. In many cases, teeth straighten naturally as the jaw grows and other teeth come in. If teeth do not straighten, your child may develop a bite problem (malocclusion), which can make eating and cleaning difficult, and may affect appearance and self-confidence.
Looking for a "Pediatric Dentist Near Me" in Maple Ridge? Book an Appointment With Westgate Dental & Implant Centre
Westgate Dental & Implant Centre is home to the entire family. Our dental clinic covers multiple dental fields, from children’s dentistry to specialized care. Children get healthy smiles because we first focus on preventive care during the first visit and then help young patients maintain their dental hygiene, so when they grow up they have better dental health and a positive experience that supports their well-being.
So book your child’s first or next appointment with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need to brush their teeth every night before bed?
Yes. If germs (bacteria) and sugars that cause cavities are not removed, they have the whole night to cause damage. Also, while your child sleeps, they produce less saliva, which normally helps keep the mouth clean. That is why brushing before bed is important.
Is any toothbrush suitable for a child?
The best toothbrush for a child has soft, rounded bristles and fits comfortably in their mouth. Replace it at least every 3 to 4 months.
What is the correct way to brush a child’s teeth?
Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle so the bristles point toward where the gums and teeth meet. Use gentle circular motions rather than scrubbing, and make sure to clean every surface of each tooth. For the front teeth, use the front part of the brush. Be gentle, because brushing too hard can damage the gums.