As Easter approaches, parents are bracing for the annual sugar rush that accompanies the avalanche of chocolate eggs and sweet treats. Get ahead of the game by ‘brushing up’ on your child’s dental care to establish good habits before the Easter break.
Why children’s oral health matters
When you think of kids being admitted to hospital for preventable reasons, you probably imagine them falling off their bikes or the monkey bars. Unfortunately, though, dental problems are one of the biggest causes of preventable hospital admissions in kids.
When kids consume too much sugar, don’t brush their teeth well enough or often enough and aren’t taken for regular dental checkups, plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) builds up on their teeth. Over time, this eats away at the surface of the tooth, which can lead to:
- Toothache and pain
- Tooth decay
- Infections
- Gum disease
- Difficulties eating – which may affect nutrition and growth
- Difficulties speaking
- Changes in development of their jaw
- Time off school
- Anxiety about seeing the dentist
- More complicated and expensive treatment sometimes involving general anaesthetic
Caring for kids’ teeth
As soon as your child has teeth, you need to clean them twice a day. Flossing should begin as soon as they have two teeth side by side. Like most aspects of parenting, it’s much easier when your kids are actively engaged.
1. Help them understand why oral care matters
Your child may be more willing to engage in brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist if they understand that good oral care:
- Keeps their teeth strong and healthy
- Reduces the risk of painful cavities
- Helps keep their breath smelling nice
- Gives them a beautiful bright smile.
2. Make brushing fun
You can make this more fun for kids by:
- Playing their favourite song while they brush
- Letting them choose their toothbrush – maybe a colourful one with their favourite character on it
- Giving them a sticker on their reward chart afterwards (or some other age-appropriate motivator until they’re old enough to see good teeth as their own reward!).
3. Follow the 2-2 rule
All too often, we’re rushing kids through their toothbrushing because they’re running late for school – or for bed! But rushed jobs are rarely done well. Better to plan ahead and ensure there’s time for unhurried, careful brushing.
Aim for 2 minutes of tooth brushing twice a day – that’s the 2-2 rule. Encourage your child to slow down and pay attention.
And use a timer. Some brushes will now buzz after 2 minutes but your phone timer will do just as well.
4. Teach them the right technique
Spending 2 minutes sucking a toothbrush or diligently brushing one tooth won’t achieve much!
It’s important to teach your child to use a pea-sized spot of toothpaste and to brush their teeth correctly. That means brushing the outside, top and inside of each tooth as well as gently brushing the tongue and gums.
If your child’s using a traditional toothbrush, they should move it in gentle, circular motions over each tooth. If they’re using an electric toothbrush, the brush head itself will move in a circular motion.
5. Floss like a boss
Brushing is great for the visible surfaces of your child’s teeth but it can’t reach between teeth to clean trapped food or bacteria. Removing this is an important way to safeguard teeth against decay.
Flossing achieves this interdental cleaning. Options include:
- String floss
- Flossettes – often easier for little hands to manage
(got rid of water flossers and interdental brushes as they aren’t suitable for children)
6. Limit sugary snacks and drinks
While Easter is filled with chocolates and lollies, try to balance sweet treats with healthier snacks like crunchy fruits and vegetables, which naturally help clean teeth. Also, encourage water over sugary drinks to rinse away food particles and keep mouths hydrated. Reduce or replace gifts of confectionary with toys, eg Lego, soft toys, books.
7. Regular dental check-ups
The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne reports that
- 77% of parents don’t know their child should start to see a dentist around the age of 12 months
- 31% of preschoolers have never visited a dentist
- 23% of parents mistakenly believe their child only needs to see a dentist if there’s a problem with their teeth
- 49% of parents don’t know that their child may be able to access free dental care.
Here’s how to prepare your child for their first visit to the dentist
A regular dental checkup provides an opportunity to:
- Monitor your child’s dental development
- Highlight the need for any improvements in brushing or flossing
- Remove stubborn plaque through professional cleaning
- Identify and treat any cavities before they become more serious
There’s another important benefit – regular dental checkups enable your child to become comfortable seeing the dentist, which proves beneficial throughout life.
Dent8 Dental – your family dentist
We love caring for our younger patients at Dent8 Dental, aiming to provide a caring environment where you and your child(ren) feel at ease. Our experienced practitioners support you and your child in developing a program of self-care that supports oral health from their first dental appointment, all the way through to adulthood.
At Dent8, you’ll find:
- A colourful, attractive play area in the waiting room
- Practitioners who adjust their practices to help kids understand what’s happening and feel at ease.
- Evidence-based, practical tips on dental care and nutrition.
If it’s been more than 6 months since your child’s last dental visit, then please book their checkup today.
Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Dent8 Dental can consult with you regarding your individual health needs.
References
- Australian Dental Association, Increasing numbers of kids hospitalised for preventable oral problems, https://ada.org.au/increasing-numbers-of-kids-hospitalised-for-preventable-oral-problems, [Accessed 3 February 2025]
- Raising Children, Tooth decay, https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/health-daily-care/dental-care/tooth-decay#, [Accessed 3 February 2025]
- org.au, Flossing, https://teeth.org.au/flossing, [Accessed 3 February 2025]
- Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Child oral health: Habits in Australian homes, https://rchpoll.org.au/polls/child-oral-health-habits-in-australian-homes/, [Accessed 3 February 2025]
- Services Australia, Child dental benefits schedule, https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/child-dental-benefits-schedule, [Accessed 3 February 2025]
