From the moment your child is born, you should start thinking about their oral health. The professionals at Hawaii’s Pediatric Dental Group know starting kids off with proper dental care habits will help guarantee good dental health later in life. Since 1966, the local practice has been providing parents throughout the community with reliable advice on how to care for children’s teeth.

To prevent tartar, gingivitis, tooth decay, and other problems that affect kids’ teeth, the local pediatric dentistry office shares useful tips on how to care for teeth at each stage of development.

• Newborns & Toddlers: Although your child might be a few years away from needing teeth cleaning, you can introduce them to the practice as soon as they’re born. When you bathe a newborn, use an infant toothbrush to gently clean gums. This will familiarize the baby with the instrument as well as the sensation of mouth cleaning. Once the little one gets to the teething stage, use firm pacifiers. A durable chewing tool can greatly minimize the pain that comes with teething. At the age of one, your child should go for their first dentist visit.    
• Pre-School-Aged Kids: When kids get to the pre-school age, roughly two to five years old, they should pass on the pacifier. Using the device at this stage can cause new teeth to shift. Sucking on the thumb has the same impact, so try to monitor the habit. At this stage, you should brush your kid’s teeth twice a day—once in the morning and again at night. To encourage the habit, use a brightly-colored toothbrush with pictures of their favorite cartoon characters and kid-approved toothpaste flavors. During this period, your child should go for dental checkups every six months. During the appointment, the dentist can suggest the best products for your child’s teeth.
• Elementary School-Aged Kids: Children are more independent at the elementary school age and can start brushing their own teeth at seven or eight years old. Although youngsters can do it themselves, you should still monitor the process. When teeth start to touch, introduce the child to flossing. The method takes a bit of getting used to, so ask your community dentist about gentle dental care techniques. When it comes to what to pack in the lunchbox, stick to water and sugar-free beverages. Sugary drinks can cause tooth decay and other problems.    

To start your kids on the path to good dental hygiene, visit Pediatric Dental Group. Serving people throughout Hawaii, the friendly neighborhood dentist specializes in all aspects of adolescent dental care. To schedule dental exams for your children, call the Honolulu office at (808) 593-8828 or the Lihue location at (808) 245-2131. You can also visit the dentistry practice’s website and Facebook page for more information.