A Few Tips for Toddler Dental Care

A child’s toddler years are famous for being a challenging time for all members of a family—from siblings, parents, to even grandparents. Children are busy enough exploring their surroundings and discovering new ways they can play, and this usually means they don’t feel like standing still for a long-enough period of time to brush teeth or keep up recommended oral healthcare routines.

It’s also during this phase that many toddlers are compelled by parents to lose pacifiers, which is often a long, grueling battle in and of itself. Any habits of thumb or pacifier sucking, per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, should cease by three years of age.

With these various facets of toddler dental care in mind, it’s best for parents to start early in setting the right example for conscientious oral healthcare and to try making teeth-brushing more fun for their toddlers. By doing this, parents may effectively establish a lifelong precedent for healthy oral healthcare habits in their children.

How to Make Dental Care Fun for Toddlers

Like their adult counterparts, toddlers’ teeth should be brushed twice a day, but with an adult’s help. A small amount of toothpaste, no bigger than the size of a pea, is enough for children between two and five years of age who can brush their teeth without swallowing toothpaste. Given how many fluoride toothpastes are available for children, choose one with a child-friendly, mild flavor to encourage brushing.

Singing songs or making games in order to stretch brushing time out can always help with young children as well. It’s also important to remember that, at this age, toddlers haven’t yet developed the needed dexterity to brush their teeth properly, so be ready to assist.

Visiting the Dentist

Toddler years are a good time to start regular checkups with the dentist, so parents should start bringing their child to a pediatric dentist at least twice a year. Be forthcoming about dental issues the child may have. If children are still using pacifiers, the pediatric dentist will likely have a few tips for breaking the habit. They can also examine children's teeth and provide the right guidance on the areas that need more thorough brushing to prevent tooth decay.

Encouraging Dental-Healthy Diets

Toddlers eat wider varieties of food compared to infants, so making sure healthy choices like cheese, vegetables, and fruits make it into their diets can enhance the children's oral health. Serve less fruit juice, and try encouraging more water. Cutting down on sugary sweets as well can help to prevent cavities and other dental issues.

While children are growing and developing their own unique personalities, parents may run into resistance when it comes to developing a regular oral healthcare routine. However, by applying parenting strategies and instilling proper dental care early on, parents can help their children develop the right kind of oral healthcare habits that last the rest of their lives.

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