When do kids start losing teeth? Oral health tips for kids

 6 minutes

It’s increasingly understood that dental hygiene is not only key to our oral health but our health overall.¹ So when we’re caring for our children’s teeth, we’re also caring for their general health. We’re going to share some great   children’s dental care tips and tricks, so we can give your little one’s the best possible start to life.

In this article, we will explore oral hygiene tips for kids including:

• Brushing techniques to maintain oral hygiene for children
  
• Children's dental care dietary recommendations
  
• The importance of regular dental check-ups when it comes to oral health for kids

Read on for your guide to oral health for kids.  

Brushing techniques to maintain oral hygiene for children¹

To help care for your children’s teeth, follow these brushing technique steps and oral hygiene tips for kids:

1. Your children should brush their teeth twice a day for 2 minutes. You can encourage this and make brushing more fun with the Philips Sonicare for Kids Sonic electric toothbrush. The interactive app will help your children brush better and longer* to take the best care of their teeth.
   
2. We recommend using fluoride toothpaste which can decrease the risk of caries and help with the remineralization of teeth.¹⁷
   
3. If your children are using a manual toothbrush, you should replace their toothbrush if the bristles become matted or frayed. For children using an electric toothbrush, like the Philips Sonicare for Kids electric toothbrush, it is recommended to replace the brush head with a new Philips Sonicare For Kids toothbrush head every 3 months for optimal brushing results.     
   
4. Place the toothbrush against your child’s gumline at a 45-degree angle.
   
5. Use gentle, back-and-forth strokes to brush their teeth. To prevent damage or injury to your child’s gums always ensure you and your child only use gentle pressure when brushing their teeth. If you’re using a manual toothbrush, you’ll have to do more of the work yourself and move the brush along your teeth continuously. With an electric toothbrush, you can let it do more of the work by holding and moving it against your teeth and not brushing vigorously.
   
6. To ensure teeth are brushed correctly, make sure all surfaces of every tooth is touched to ensure plaque is fully removed.
   

Children's dental care dietary recommendations^{2, 3}

Your child’s diet is not only key for their overall health, but it’s also an important part of children’s dental care. Here are some top tips when considering diet against children’s dental care:

• Ensure your child has plenty of calcium in their diet, which is linked to forming and maintaining strong, healthy bones and teeth.⁵ Good sources of calcium include dairy, green leafy veg, soy-based drinks, and food made with fortified flour.⁶
  
• Provide plenty of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables which help to keep your child’s teeth and gums clean.⁷ Good sources of fiber include beans, broccoli, and apples.⁸
  
• Limit your child’s consumption of sugar. Eating too much sugar is linked to an increased risk of dental caries. ⁹
  
• Limit your child’s consumption of highly acidic food and drinks as they are associated with tooth erosion.¹⁰
  

Regular dental check-ups and oral health for kids

There are several key reasons regular dental check-ups are an important part of your children’s dental care including:⁴

• Baby teeth are important for learning to speak and holding space for their permanent teeth.¹¹
  
• Regular check-ups allow your dentist to identify and treat any signs and risks of tooth decay and gum disease.
  
• Dentists can check your child’s teeth and jaw growth and development as well as identify any problems with their bite.
  
• You are also able to discuss your children’s dental care - from dietary recommendations to brushing techniques - with your dentist.