How
Do You Treat Dry Mouth in Children?

Dry mouth is a condition that typically affects adults, especially the elderly. However, even children can develop this condition. Dry mouth can jeopardize your child’s oral health, nutrition, and development, and may, at times, require intervention from your trusted team at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. We are all about keeping your child’s smile healthy and sound.

Symptoms of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is characterized by low saliva production. If left untreated, dry mouth can cause a host of dental problems. The most apparent symptom of dry mouth is constant thirst. Symptoms also include painful skin chaps and cracks along the mouth and dry and irritated gums. Saliva prevents acids and bacteria from destroying tooth enamel, so when there is not enough of it, your child may experience increased tooth decay, plaque deposits, and gum disease. You may also notice problems with eating, drinking, swallowing, and talking.

Most of the above symptoms can occur from time to time, and should not be cause for alarm. However, if the symptoms persist, contact Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for evaluation.

Common Causes Of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth may be as simple as the result of dehydration or from a long night’s sleep, which can be resolved by drinking some water. In some cases, it can result from normal growth and development. Children may experience temporary bouts of dry mouth but tend to grow out of it quickly.

Dry mouth is often a side effect of medications your child takes. It can also be caused by radiation therapy, or from medical conditions such as an autoimmune disorder known as Sjögren’s syndrome, which can attack the salivary glands, leading to dry mouth.

Treating Dry Mouth in Children

Whether temporary or long-term, some practices and treatments help alleviate the symptoms of dry mouth in children. The most important thing you can do is to ensure your child stays hydrated by drinking more water. The more hydrated one is, the easier it is to create saliva. Better yet, water helps moisten the mouth, which eases discomfort and makes it easier to eat, drink, and talk. If your child has trouble swallowing, using a straw can help ensure adequate fluid intake.

Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free hard candies encourage saliva production, providing relief from dry mouth. Avoid sugary drinks, sodas, or caffeine, which all dry out your child’s mouth further. Moreover, sodas, even diet ones, contain high levels of acid, which can damage your child’s already dry and vulnerable teeth. Make sure your child maintains good oral hygiene practices. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash helps remove harmful bacteria and debris left sitting due to the lack of saliva.

Professional Dry Mouth Care

One of the most effective ways to find the right dry mouth treatments is to schedule a visit at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Phoenix, AZ. We will determine the underlying causes of your child’s condition and will recommend treatment options to help relieve the symptoms of dry mouth. By addressing symptoms right away, you’ll be giving your child the best chance to prevent long-term oral health complications. If your kid’s dry mouth has been a persistent issue, make sure to contact us immediately.

How
to Assemble a Tooth Fairy Kit

Establishing a tooth fairy tradition is a wonderful way to tap into your child’s imagination, to emphasize the importance of healthy smiles, and to help make oral hygiene more exciting. So, how do you get prepared? The first step is assembling a tooth fairy kit. The following are some ideas to get you started on an exciting journey filled with magical memories.

When Will You Need Your Tooth Fairy Kit?

Your tooth fairy kit will need to be ready by the time your child begins losing teeth, usually around age 6. The first teeth to go are the ones at the front, called the incisors, followed by the canines, in the middle, then the molars near the back. It’s always a good idea to get prepared early on in case a tooth is lost prematurely.

Assembling Your Tooth Fairy Kit

Letters from the Tooth Fairy: You’ll find plenty of printable tooth fairy stationery online, or you can design your own using paper and fairy dust (glitter). Use this opportunity to congratulate your child on proper oral hygiene practices, or encourage better brushing and flossing. Make sure the note is helpful but positive.

Tooth Container: Decorate and personalize a small tin container using permanent markers or paints. The lost tooth can be stored in this container and placed under the pillow. It also makes a beautiful keepsake as a reminder of childhood magical memories.

Tooth Pillow: Another option to store lost teeth are tooth-shaped pillows with pockets. These special pillows add an element of excitement and ensure that the teeth are safely stored while waiting for the tooth fairy to arrive. The pockets are also great for delivering tooth fairy notes or treats to your child.

Healthy Teeth Kit: The tooth fairy loves healthy teeth, so consider assembling a kit including a new toothbrush, dental floss, and a few healthy snacks for the tooth fairy to deliver instead of or along with a dollar bill. That will inspire your child to spend more time on proper dental hygiene.

Healthy Teeth Awards: Use a tooth-shaped cookie cutter to create healthy teeth awards out of colored construction paper. Tooth fairies don’t always have to visit when teeth are lost. They can also pop over when they see children caring well for their teeth. An occasional award will put a smile on your child’s face and will encourage more time and effort spent on brushing and flossing.

Keepsake Journal: A keepsake journal is a great way to keep tooth fairy letters and awards, along with any pictures or memories of lost teeth you collect over the years.

Use Your Imagination: Start assembling a tooth fairy kit early on, and use your imagination to create a tooth fairy kit that will make your child’s tooth loss experiences memorable!

Quality Pediatric Dental Care in Phoenix, AZ

Visit Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about establishing proper dental care habits to ensure your child’s teeth stay healthy and sound. Our kid-friendly team is committed to delivering exceptional, gentle care in a relaxing environment. We look forward to caring for your child’s dental needs. Call us today!

How
Milk May Help Reduce Tooth Decay Caused by Sugary Foods

We all know that drinking milk is excellent for growing bones and teeth, but did you know that drinking milk after consuming sugary foods can reduce the damage sugar can do to teeth? While it’s always a good idea to limit children’s sugar intake, you can always count on milk and dairy products to help keep their teeth in tip-top shape!

How Does Sugar Cause Decay?

Sugar itself isn’t the reason kids develop tooth decay. What it does is create an environment that allows bacteria to flourish. When your child consumes sugary foods or beverages, harmful bacteria in the plaque on the teeth break down the sugars and produce acids. These acids attack the outer surfaces of the teeth called the enamel, which results in tooth decay and cavities. If left untreated, the damage can progress deeper into the tooth, all the way to the nerves, causing pain and potentially resulting in tooth loss.

How Dairy Helps Fight Decay

Drinking milk and consuming dairy products may be beneficial due to containing high levels of calcium, as well as phosphorus and proteins called caseins. When combined, these elements strengthen and form a protective film on the tooth enamel, which helps prevent decay caused by bacterial acid erosion. Calcium and phosphorus can also help reverse some of the damage already done to tooth enamel.

A study examined whether drinking water, apple juice, or milk or doing nothing after eating sugary cereal would affect the acidity of the dental plaque. Drinking milk was found to be the most beneficial in helping lower acidity, followed by water, eating cereal only, and lastly by drinking apple juice.

The American Dental Association (ADA) emphasizes that the order in which foods and milk products are consumed can also make a difference to one’s dental health. That is because drinking milk after consuming sugary foods can lower the acidic levels in the mouth. So it’s best not have milk with dessert, but to wash it down with milk when done. It is also better to consume sugary treats as part of the main meal rather than as a stand-alone snack. The reason is that the frequency of exposure of teeth to acids is just as critical as the quantity of sugar consumed.

Diet and Oral Health

It’s tough to eliminate sugary treats and beverages altogether when you have kids at home. Consider stocking up on more milk and less juice and sodas. Even chocolate milk is a healthy snack, so if kids have to have something sugary, make sure they still get oral and overall health benefits.

Oral Hygiene for Healthy Teeth

While milk and dairy products help make your kid’s teeth more resistant to decay, incorporating a proper oral hygiene routine is key to preventing dental disease. Make sure they brush at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to clean where the toothbrush can’t reach. Don’t forget to schedule dental checkups and professional cleanings twice a year.

Quality Pediatric Dental Care in Phoenix Arizona

Contact Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about keeping your child’s teeth healthy and sound. Our exceptional, child-friendly team is committed to delivering quality, gentle care in a relaxing environment. We look forward to caring for your child’s dental needs. Call us today!

How
Teething Fits into Infant Development

Congratulations on the arrival of your new baby! So much is going on through your mind as you hold your little one in your arms. Before you know it, your child will begin teething, which is a normal part of infant development. Most babies teeth between six and ten months of age, and most children have all their primary teeth by the time they are 30 months old.

Teething Symptoms

Your baby’s two bottom front teeth should erupt first, followed by the two upper front teeth. You will notice bumps on your little one’s gums when the time comes. Some infants experience mild symptoms with slight irritation of the gum tissue, while others may become cranky, and may even have a mild fever. Your baby may have red and swollen gums, may be fussier than usual, may refuse to eat, or may drool more than usual. A teething baby will want to bite and chew on objects more, and may not sleep as well. Symptoms of teething may occur over a few days or even weeks before the tooth finally emerges through the gumline.

Keep in mind that teething will not cause high fever, diarrhea, runny nose, cough, or rashes on the body. If your child experiences any of these symptoms, something else is likely going on, so make sure to schedule a visit to your child’s pediatrician.

How Can You Help?

If your teething baby seems uncomfortable, there are some ways to help. Rub your baby’s gums using a clean finger or a moistened gauze pad. The pressure can help ease your baby’s discomfort. You can also use a cold washcloth or a chilled teething ring to help soothe your child’s gums.

Excessive drooling can cause skin irritation, so make sure you dry your baby’s chin using a clean cloth. If your child is especially cranky, you may want to consider using over-the-counter pain medication as recommended by your child’s pediatrician or pediatric dentist.

Caring for Your Child’s Teeth

Even before the first pearly white erupts, you should start cleaning your baby’s gums at least twice a day using a soft, clean washcloth or a soft infant toothbrush. The cleansing can help prevent bacteria from building up in your baby’s mouth.

When the first pearly white emerges, brush using a small, soft-bristled brush. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste no larger than a grain of rice until your child learns to spit at around age 3. From that point on, you can switch to a pea-sized dollop of toothpaste. Make sure to supervise your child’s brushing time.

It’s also important to begin taking your child to your pediatric dentist for routine dental checkups. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends scheduling a child’s first dental visit after the first tooth erupts and no later than the first birthday. Establishing dental care early on in life can help set the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Quality Pediatric Dental Care in Phoenix Arizona

Visit Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about teething, and how it fits into your infant’s development. Our exceptional, child-friendly staff is committed to delivering quality, gentle care in a happy and comfortable environment. We strive to develop a partnership with you aimed at ensuring your newcomer’s smile is off to a great start!

Is
Thumb Sucking Hurting My Child’s Teeth?

Parents want what’s best for their kids, and caring for their teeth is one way to do this. A question parents often have is whether thumb sucking is hurting their child’s teeth. While most children outgrow this behavior before any damage is done, it’s important to acknowledge that thumb sucking can pose an oral health threat. Staying informed will help ensure your child enjoys healthy smiles into adulthood.

Why Do Children Suck Their Thumbs?

Thumb sucking is a soothing, natural reflex for children. It is often seen in infants before birth, while still in the womb. Babies may continue this practice after birth, which helps them feel happy and secure, and may help them fall asleep. Some children continue thumb sucking into their toddler years to help cope with anxiety or stressful situations.

When Do Children Stop Sucking Their Thumbs?

Most children stop thumb-sucking between the ages of two and four, or by the time their permanent front teeth are ready to come in. If your child continues this habit past the age of four, it’s best to consult with your pediatric dentist.

How Can Thumb Sucking Affect Your Child’s Teeth?

After the permanent teeth come in, thumb sucking may affect your child’s oral health. The intensity of sucking is a significant factor in determining whether or not dental problems may result. Unlike passively resting a thumb in the mouth, active, consistent, or vigorous sucking may cause significant problems. This behavior can have long-term effects due to the constant pressure placed on the teeth, jawbone, and the roof of the mouth.

Vigorous thumb sucking often affects the alignment of a child’s permanent front teeth and the shape of the jaw and the roof of the mouth. Your child can potentially develop problems with the bite, meaning the likely need for orthodontic treatments down the road. Other long-term effects include changes to the mouth that may interfere with speech patterns, potentially causing a lisp.

How Can You Help Your Child Stop Thumbsucking?

There are a few things you can do to help. You may want to consider setting up a “big kid” reward system. Positive reinforcement is much more effective in dealing with this type of behavior than scolding. Be consistent in calmly redirecting and offer plenty of praise when your child is not engaging in thumb sucking.

Children suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or when in need of comfort. Focus on the causes of anxiety and find different ways to comfort your child. Try to determine your child’s thumb sucking triggers and address them. For example, engaging your child in an activity such as drawing or playing catch can deflect the attention off thumb sucking. It may also help to place barriers during sleep such as thumb shields, a sock on the hand, or using a mouth appliance prescribed by your child’s pediatric dentist.

Safeguard Your Child’s Smile By Talking to the Experts

For more tips on helping your child stop thumb sucking, your trusted team at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Phoenix, AZ, is here to help. We will work with you to find solutions to safeguard your child’s smile. Call us today!

Is
My Kid a Good Candidate for Dental Braces / Retainers?

If crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw are detracting from your child’s smile, you may want to consider orthodontic treatments. Whether you opt for braces or for clear retainers, your child will be on the way to a perfect smile. For evaluation and to determine if your child is a candidate for dental braces or retainers, contact your trusted team at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. We will examine your child’s teeth and bite and will work with you to decide on the best treatment options. We are all about helping our young patients achieve healthy, straight smiles.

When Do Orthodontic Treatments Begin?

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children see an orthodontist for the first time between the ages of seven and nine. Even if your child does not have all the permanent teeth, the teeth growth pattern can usually be predicted quite effectively. We may recommend early intervention known as interceptive orthodontics to help ensure faster and better treatment outcomes.

Is Your Child a Candidate for Dental Braces or Retainers?

A candidate for braces or retainers has healthy teeth and gums and practices good daily oral hygiene. If gum disease is present, it needs to be addressed before starting orthodontic treatment because braces raise the risk of gum disease due to increased plaque build up.

Clear retainers work well for older teenagers and adolescents, while children and young teenagers may not be good candidates because their teeth are still growing. In some severe or complex cases, dental braces are the preferred option to achieve the desired treatment outcomes. To determine whether your child is a candidate for braces or retainers, contact Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.

What Are Dental Braces?

Braces are orthodontic appliances designed to achieve a healthier and straighter smile. They improve your child’s smile by gradually and gently realigning teeth. Braces come with metal brackets attached to the front of the teeth, that are connected by wires and bands. The treatment involves adjusting the wires to guide the teeth to the ideal position.

What Are Retainers?

Some teens and adolescents prefer using clear retainers to align their teeth. Retainers are custom-made aligners that are changed approximately every two weeks following a custom treatment plan. They are virtually invisible and can be removed during eating and for brushing and flossing. Treatment times are six to eighteen months, or longer if needed. Retainers offer a discreet option for patients who prefer not to wear traditional braces.

Conditions Treated by Braces or Retainers

Braces and clear retainers are designed to perfect your child’s smile. They work to correct crooked, crowded, gapped, or misaligned teeth, along with problems with the bite, including a crossbite, open bite, underbite, or overbite.

Quality Orthodontic Treatments in Phoenix, AZ

Contact Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to schedule an orthodontic screening for your child to determine the need for orthodontic treatment. We work with certified orthodontist in the area to provide optimal care for your child. Whether your child prefers braces or retainers, we are here to help. We are committed to delivering healthy, beautiful smiles. We look forward to caring for your child’s dental needs! Call us today!

Is
Tooth Decay the Most Common Childhood Disease?

Tooth decay is more common in childhood than more parents realize. We, at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, would like to emphasize the importance of preventive dental care to ensure your child enjoys a healthy smile for a lifetime. While childhood decay can cause complications, the good news is that it is a preventable and treatable illness. We are here to help!

How Does Tooth Decay Develop

Children love snacking on sugary treats and starches. If their teeth are not cleaned after eating these foods, bacteria starts a feeding frenzy, which results in plaque, a clear sticky film, building up on the teeth and gums. The acid in the plaque begins to attack the tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. If left untreated, tooth decay continues to progress, eventually reaching the tooth pulp, which can cause tooth pain and may potentially require a root canal.

Is Tooth Decay the Most Common Childhood Disease?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that, although largely preventable, dental caries continues to be the most common chronic disease of children aged 6 to 11 and adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. Decay is also prevalent in adults with more than 90 percent of adults over the age of 20 suffering from some degree of tooth root decay.

Why Are More Children Developing Tooth Decay?

Children are drawn to sweets and starches, and today they have more access to junk food and processed sweets than ever before. Many children neglect to brush their teeth after eating, making them more susceptible to tooth decay. Busy parents often opt to buy fast food than dinner, and children have more in a say in what they eat. All these factors combined contribute to the rise in childhood tooth decay.

Preventive Dentistry for Healthy Teeth

At Jet Set Smiles, we believe that preventive dental care is the foundation of a healthy mouth. We encourage you to bring your child in to see us every six months, no later than the first birthday. During your visit, we will examine your child’s teeth and gums and ensure they are healthy. Your child will also have a professional cleaning during which we will remove any plaque and tartar buildup. Keeping your child’s mouth clean will help keep tooth decay at bay.

We may also recommend preventive treatments to help protect your child’s teeth. These include fluoride application, which strengthens your child’s teeth and makes them less susceptible to decay, and dental sealants, which are clear protective coatings we apply to to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.

Preventive Care at Home

Begin to establish an oral hygiene care regimen from a young age. Encourage your child to brush at least twice daily, and to floss every day. Your child should consume a balanced, nutritious diet, and should limit snacking on sugary treats.

Quality Preventive Care Starts Here

We, at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, are passionate about our young patients’ dental health. We are here to answer your questions and to offer advice on how to best care for your child’s teeth. We look forward to working alongside you to help ensure your child enjoys healthy smiles for a lifetime. Call us today!

How
Can Parents Help Prevent Tooth Decay?

All parents want what’s best for their kids, including protecting their oral health. Unfortunately, many young children develop tooth decay, which can progress into serious oral health issues. At Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we believe in a preventive approach to keeping your child’s teeth in tip-top shape. We look forward to working alongside you to ensure your child enjoys healthy smiles for a lifetime.

What Are the Causes of Tooth Decay?

Children love sugary treats and starches. If the teeth are not cleaned well after eating these foods, bacteria starts a feeding frenzy, resulting in plaque, a clear sticky film, forming on your child’s teeth and gums. The acid in the plaque attacks the tooth enamel, which results in tooth decay and cavities. Tooth decay left untreated can eventually affect the tooth pulp, causing pain and discomfort, and potentially requiring root canal treatment.

Tips to Prevent Tooth Decay

Start decay prevention early: Caring for your child’s teeth begins in the womb. Your diet during pregnancy contributes to your baby’s developing primary teeth. Make sure to consume a healthy, balanced diet. After birth, you should clean your baby’s gum with a wet, warm cloth every day and begin brushing them gently using an infant toothbrush as they come in.

Create a tooth brushing routine: Getting into the habit of brushing teeth early on will carry forward into adulthood. By age one, your child will be ready for fluoridated toothpaste. Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a smear of toothpaste as per directions, and make sure to brush your child’s teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. Children younger than 6 will need help to make sure they are cleaning their teeth well. Continue supervising until you are sure your child can brush independently. You may want to incorporate a reward system, a favorite song, or a fun activity to make teeth brushing a fun time.

Regular dental exams and cleanings: Make sure to start your child’s dental visits no later than the first birthday. We will check for any early signs of tooth decay, and will monitor your child’s oral health and development. We will also clean your child’s teeth and remove any plaque or tartar deposits. We will demonstrate proper oral hygiene strategies to ensure proper dental hygiene practices at home.

Preventive treatments: Depending on your child’s age, oral health, and risk factors, we may recommend preventive treatments such as fluoride or dental sealants to protect the teeth and to prevent tooth decay.

Limit sugar intake: the amount of sugar in your child’s diet contributes to tooth decay. Sugar is a food source for bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Encourage your child to choose healthy snacks and to drink water to help reduce the risk of tooth decay.

About Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

We, at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, are passionate about keeping our young patients’ teeth healthy and strong. We are here to answer questions to offer advice on how to best care for your child’s oral health. We look forward to helping you ensure your child enjoys healthy smiles for years to come. Call us today!

What
Age Should My Child Start Flossing?

Caring for your child’s teeth from a young age will ensure healthy, happy smiles, and also sets the stage for a lifetime of oral health. While most parents understand the importance of flossing, many wonder what age to start.

When To Start Flossing

You will need to begin flossing daily once the teeth start to fit closely together, usually between the ages of two and six. To tell whether your child is ready to floss, try to slide a piece of floss between two teeth. If it sticks a little, you’ll know that the teeth are touching and it’s time to floss. 

Why Floss?

While your child’s baby teeth will eventually fall out, keeping them healthy is an important aspect of ensuring healthy permanent teeth. Baby teeth hold the space and serve as guides for the adult teeth that will come in. They also help with the healthy development of the jaws and muscles.

Flossing removes bacteria and plaque buildup between teeth that can potentially lead to inflammation and gum disease over time. Having healthy teeth will enable your child to bite and chew, allowing for proper nutrition, and will also help with speech development. Losing primary teeth early due to poor oral health can be harmful to your child’s oral health. Neighboring teeth may begin shifting into gaps, resulting in crooked permanent teeth that will likely need orthodontic treatment down the road.

Baby teeth can get cavities, so regular flossing and brushing are essential practices. The earlier you start developing a proper oral hygiene routine, the more likely it is to continue into adulthood.

Helping Your Child Floss

You’ll need to floss your children’s teeth until they are able to do it themselves. Most children are ready to floss on their own around second or third grade.

Choose floss that is soft and flexible to avoid hurting your child’s teeth and gums. Gently slide the dental floss between your child’s teeth, and be careful not to snap it down on the gums. Curve the floss around each tooth and carefully move it up and down the sides. Use a fresh part of the floss as you move from one tooth to the next.

It is common for gums to bleed at first. After a few days of flossing, bleeding should subside as the gums become healthier. If the bleeding continues, make sure to schedule an appointment at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.

Once your child can floss independently, make sure to observe carefully to ensure proper flossing and that all the back teeth are included. Better yet, join the fun and floss alongside your child. Children love doing what their parents do, so be a role model and motivate your child to practice good oral hygiene practices.

About Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

We, at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, are passionate about helping our young patients establish proper dental hygiene practices. We are here to offer tips and advice on how to care for your child’s oral health. We look forward to working alongside you to ensure your child’s smile is off to a great start!

How
to Make Brushing Fun for Kids

Brushing and good oral hygiene for children goes a long way in ensuring a lifetime of healthy happy smiles. While getting your child to brush their teeth can at times be a challenge, turning it into a fun time can go a long way when it comes to long-term dental health.

Why Care for Baby Teeth?

Baby teeth will eventually fall out, so there’s no harm in a cavity or two, right? Wrong. Developing cavities in baby teeth can have a long-term effect on your child’s oral health. Keep in mind that unhealthy baby teeth will likely result in unhealthy adult teeth.

Baby teeth play a role as placeholders for the incoming permanent teeth. Missing or unhealthy baby teeth often result in adult teeth coming in out of alignment, meaning possible orthodontic treatment down the road. Starting your child with proper oral hygiene practices at a young age will set the stage for a lifetime of oral health.

Shop for Tooth Brushing Supplies

Have your child pick out the toothbrush. There are ones with favorite characters that may do the trick or ones your child can decorate. Next, pick out a toothpaste flavor to encourage your child to brush. With numerous flavors available, your child is bound to find a “yummy” one.

Fun Books and Videos

There are many fun books and videos available that focus on proper oral care habits. These offer a fun and exciting way to teach your children about caring for their teeth in a way they can easily understand and relate to.

Set a Good Example

Children love to mimic their parent, so teach by example. Have your child witness your tooth-brushing and your flossing routine. Don’t forget to show them how you brush your tongue. Be deliberate and animated during every step, and conclude by showing how proud you are of your efforts.

Let Your Kids Practice on You

While having your teeth brushed by your kids may not be your favorite past time, it really pays off. Make this a fun time full of laughter. You can also have your child practice on a stuffed animal or a doll.

Choose a Favorite Song

Select a favorite song to listen to during brushing. Make sure the song is at least two minutes long to ensure sufficient brushing time. Dance around while brushing, and once the song is over, your child is done brushing.

Come Up with a Reward System

Many children will respond well to a fun reward system. An idea is having your child pick out a calendar and stickers. Every time your child brushes, add a sticker to the calendar. You may want to have a surprise ready to give to your child if all the days of the week have stickers. You may even want to offer a bigger reward if your child sticks to the brushing routine for a month.

About Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

We, at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, are passionate about caring for our young patients. We are here to offer tips and advice on how to care for your child’s oral health. We strive to develop a partnership with you aimed at ensuring your child’s smile is off to a great start!