• Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Porcelain Veneers
  • Tooth Whitening
  • Bonding
  • Cosmetic Tissue Contouring
  • Smile Makeover
  • Dentures
• Reconstructive Dentistry
  • Crowns
  • Inlays/Onlays
  • Bridges
  • Dental Implants
  • Dental Implant Questions
  • Dental Implants vs. Dentures
• Orthodontics
  • Invisalign and The Damon System
• TMJ/Headache Treatment
• Family Dentistry
  • Oral Hygiene and Kids
• Periodontics
• Sedation Dentistry

Oral Hygiene and Kids

Stow and Akron-Canton, Ohio

Teaching your children about the importance of taking care of their teeth at a young age will help them throughout their life. Good oral hygiene is important to keeping your teeth and has been connected to good general health overall. The family dentists at the Stow Dental Group believe that teaching children about the importance of oral hygiene is something both parents and dentists should do.

Teaching your children the importance of protecting their teeth and gums, and why it is important to reduce the risk of cavities should include the following instructions:

• Brush your teeth twice a day – this removes plaque that builds up to cause tooth decay and hardens into tartar
• Floss daily – removing plaque from between the teeth and below the gum line is just as important as brushing (this can be started between the ages of four and eight)
• Eat healthy and avoid too much starch or sugar – avoid snacking and eat these kinds of foods at designated meal times
• Drink water with fluoride in it to protect teeth

Starting your child at a young age with these ideas in mind can help to train them for a lifetime of healthy teeth.

Brushing Techniques for Children

Your children will need to learn how to brush their teeth through supervision until they can do it on their own.  Steps include:

• Use a tiny amount of ADA-approved toothpaste on a soft bristled toothbrush
• Using a back and forth motion, gently brush the inside of each tooth
• Angling the brush along the outside of the gums, clean the outside of the teeth
• Brush the chewing surface of each tooth
• Clean behind the top and bottom front teeth
• Brush the tongue

Your child will be able to do this on their own with daily practice.
Children are quick to learn and getting them in the habit of good brushing and flossing techniques is no different. Explaining to them the importance of good oral health should help your children understand that teeth are for more than smiling and eating.

If you have children and you need a family dentist in the Stow or Akron-Canton, Ohio area, please contact the office of the Stow Dental Group to set up an appointment with one of our experienced family dentists today.