15
Jul

Maintaining Your Kids Oral Health at Every Stage

Oral Care Tips Stage 1 (4-24 months)

  • To prevent the buildup of plaque, a soft, sticky bacteria containing deposits that accumulate on teeth and cause tooth decay, parents should begin by regularly cleaning their newborn baby’s gums with a damp washcloth after all feedings (breast or bottle).
  • When a child’s first tooth appears, parents should brush their child’s teeth for two minutes twice a day and switch to a child-sized, soft-bristled toothbrush with a cushioned head, and a pea-sized dab of non-fluoridated toothpaste.
  • Oral-B Stage 1 toothbrush features baby-soft bristles and a brush head that covers large surfaces and gently massages the gums.
  • Parents should ask their pediatrician about when their child should visit the dentist, but a good rule of thumb is: “First visit by first birthday.” Additional visits should be scheduled every six months to ensure proper tooth development.

Oral Care Tips Stage 2 (2-4 years)

  • Children two and older should use fluoridated toothpaste to help prevent decay as their teeth continue to develop.
  • Oral-B Stages toothpaste provides effective cavity protection in a kid-tested, mild formula gel and it comes in fun flavors that kids love.
  • Supervise your child’s brushing until good habits are established. It is recommended that you spend two minutes brushing teeth, focusing on the teeth that conduct most of the chewing and back teeth, where cavities often first develop. I know that cleaning teeth may seem like a drag to some kids, so here are a few ideas to help make brushing fun for them:
  • Use a toothbrush, like Oral-B Stages 2, that is designed to appeal to a toddler who is learning to brush and whose baby teeth are growing in. This brush is designed to effectively reach all teeth, with its narrow head, simple bristle pattern and a Power Tip.
  • Brush your teeth with your child to set a good example. This will help your child learn by watching and imitating you.
  • Sing your child’s favorite song, like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” or play a song from their favorite singer, like Miley Cyrus, for the two minutes that they are brushing their teeth.
  • Recite your child’s favorite nursery rhyme, like the “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” while they are brushing their teeth.
  • For children two and older, parents need to be aware of the impact that nutrition and eating/drinking habits have on oral health as well as overall health. Parents can promote healthy habits by limiting sugary drinks, getting rid of the bottle and/or sippy cup and offering healthier meal and snack options.

Oral Care Tips Stage 3 (5-7 years)

  • Children five and older are starting to get their permanent molars, so it’s important to use a fluoridated toothpaste and toothbrush.
  • Oral-B Stage 3 toothbrush is designed to brush those permanent molars, and is sensitive to the tender areas where baby teeth are lost. This brush features cup-shaped bristles that surround each tooth and a Power Tip that easily reaches around and behind back teeth.
  • Children five and older are starting to get their permanent molars, so it’s important to use a fluoridated toothpaste and toothbrush.
  • Oral-B Stage 3 toothbrush is designed to brush those permanent molars, and is sensitive to the tender areas where baby teeth are lost. This brush features cup-shaped bristles that surround each tooth and a Power Tip that easily reaches around and behind back teeth.

Oral Care Tips Stage 4 (8+ years)

  • Children eight and older should use a fluoridated toothpaste and toothbrush that is designed for a complex mixture of different-sized permanent and baby teeth.
  • Oral-B Stage 4 toothbrush features a combination of criss-cross bristles for cleaning, massaging bristles for sensitive gaps and a Power Tip to effectively reach and clean back teeth.