5 Clues Your Child Is not Brushing

1. The toothbrush is dry.

It's tough to keep the toothbrush dry if you're actually brushing!

Make sure to check your child’s toothbrush every day (and night)

before it has time to dry.

2. You can still see food particles.

After your child has brushed, ask for a smile. If you can still see

bits of food on or in between your child's teeth, send your child

back to the bathroom for a do-over.

3. Teeth don’t pass the “squeak test.”

Have your child wet his or her finger and rub it quickly across the

outside and inside of his or her teeth. If the teeth are clean, you

will hear a squeaking sound.

4. Breath is everything but fresh.

If your child is brushing and flossing regularly, his or her breath

should be fresh. The foul odor associated with bad breath is most

often caused by food particles -- either food left in between teeth

or food trapped in the grooves on the tongue.

5. Your child has a toothache.

Even if you can't tell if your child is brushing well, a toothache is

a red flag. Make sure your child sees the dentist right away – a

filling or other treatment may be in order.

Remember, brushing is just one part of your child’s total oral

health regimen. In order to remove stubborn plaque and tartar

buildup and prevent other dental problems, regular exams and

cleanings are a must. Plus, your dentist can help reinforce the

importance of good oral hygiene with your child.

For more tips on how to get your child to start brushing,

call Dr. Joy Lunan’s dental office in Middlebury, CT.

We are always accepting new patients and we would

love to help your family.

203-598-7920 www.middleburydentist.com

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Cosmetic Dentistry

Joy K. Lunan DDS

819 Straits Tpke, Middlebury, CT 06762