A good deal of time and effort should go into helping your kids develop good brushing and flossing habits. When handing these responsibilities off to them, it is important that you help them practice them regularly, but you should also encourage them to be thorough with them. In doing so, you help them develop the kind of routine that will keep them safe from harm to their teeth and gums. One way to help is by using a toothbrush timer app to help them develop a sense for how long they should spend brushing. Your Rochester, MN dentist can help you understand how to best work this and other forms of guidance into the instructions for your little one in order to give them an effective oral hygiene routine!
The Importance Of Thorough Brushing
Good brushing is important at every age. One reason people who brush regularly still experience issues with their oral health is that they fail to take the time needed to reach even those hard to reach areas. When they miss those spaces, bacteria and food debris keep gathering there, and that leads to more risk for dental decay and gum disease. When your kids start to brush and floss for themselves, you should make sure they are taking the time to reach their back teeth to give them thorough cleanings. Introducing a timer to help them develop good habits can make this lesson easier to absorb.
Timer Apps Provide Some Help For Kids Learning To Brush Effectively
A toothbrush timer app can help a child develop a better feeling for how long they should brush and how they should work over the different parts of their smile. Setting the timer whenever they brush will remove any questions of how long is “long enough” as they brush. To further show them how to make sure they care for their teeth in this time, you can join them and brush along to the timer as well, which gives them a visual example to use.
What Else Can You Do To Help Your Kids Protect Their Teeth?
Being patient with the start of brushing and flossing lessons will be important, as kids are still developing the dexterity needed to perform these tasks well. It is also important to provide guidance and check-ins even after they show that they have learned how to care for their teeth effectively. Make sure they are receiving support at the dentist’s office as well as at home by consistently booking pediatric dental exams. Our office can provide help to your little ones at the time they should start to brush and floss for themselves, and we can help them understand the importance of taking their oral health seriously.
Talk To Your Rochester, MN Dentist About How You Can Help Your Kids Learn To Brush Properly
If you would like to find out more about how toothbrush timing apps and other forms of support can help your kids, call Greenview Cosmetic And Family Dentistry in Rochester, MN at (507) 281-3659.
