Oral Hygiene

While our pediatric dentist and team do everything possible to help keep your child’s smile healthy, nothing is more vital than maintaining a good oral hygiene routine at home. Proper and consistent brushing and flossing help prevent problems like cavities and gum disease as well as helping your child grow and develop properly so that they can eat and speak normally, digest food, and have their permanent teeth come in without problems.

We recommend that you:

• Help your child brush at least twice a day — you may need to brush for them until they are about 7 years old
• Help your child floss daily
• Bring your child to the dentist regularly
• Ask our pediatric dentist about preventive care
• Help your child maintain a healthy diet
• Have your child wear a sports mouth guard if they are involved in athletics

It is normal for babies and small children to such their thumbs, fingers or pacifiers. Most children grow out of this habit on their own by about age 4. If sucking habits continue, please speak with our pediatric dentist so that we can monitor the habit and provide assistance and solutions to help them break the habit before it can cause damage.