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A Pediatric Dentist in Birmingham Explains Bad Brushing Habits for Your Kids

January 14, 2019

Filed under: Uncategorized — drrohner @ 9:22 pm

Young girl brushing her teethIf your kids brush their teeth, they’re taking an important step each day to keep their mouth healthy. However, there are some bad habits they can develop over time that can actually hurt their teeth more than help them. Because it’s the new year, what better time for your little ones to break these habits? Keep reading to learn about 7 bad brushing habits that can negatively impact your son or daughter’s smile.

Using a Brush with Hard Bristles

When choosing brushes for your children, be sure to pick toothbrushes that have soft-bristles. This will keep their teeth and gums protected, especially if they are prone to overbrushing or brushing too hard.

Keeping Your Child’s Toothbrush for Too Long

It is widely recommended to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or when the bristles start fraying. You should keep an eye on your child’s toothbrush to make sure their teeth are getting the full benefits of strong bristles. Replacing brushes also stop germs from being reinserted into their mouths.

Not Brushing Their Full Session

It’s no surprise that your children may want to zip through their brushing routine, but each session needs to be 2 minutes! This will ensure they can clean all of their teeth’s surfaces for a healthy smile. The average brushing time is 45 seconds, well below the recommended time.

Brushing Teeth Too Hard

Your kids, especially if they’re boys, may want to scrub their teeth aggressively. This can actually cause damage to their teeth and even irritate their gums.

Storing Their Brush Improperly

When storing your children’s brushes, there’s a right way and a wrong way. Store them vertically in an open space so the bristles can airdry. If your kids keep their toothbrush in a closed container, germs and bacteria have the opportunity to grow and spread.

Brushing Right After a Meal

If your child likes brushing their teeth after eating, that’s a good habit! But did you know that brushing your teeth immediately after eating can damage your teeth? Have your son or daughter drink water or even chew sugarless gum and wait at least an hour before brushing their teeth.

Improper Brushing Technique

When your children brush their teeth, how are they brushing? They should be tilting their brush at a 45-degree angle, gently massaging their teeth instead of scrubbing them. They should brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of their teeth, taking extra time to reach behind their smile to remove plaque and food debris.

Now that you know some bad brushing habits that your kids should break in 2019, you can help them prepare for the healthiest year they’ve had yet!

Meet the Dentist

Dr. Angelica R. Rohner is a pediatric dentist with a passion for helping little smiles shine bigger. She believes in patient education, which is why she wants you to know some of the best ways to care for your son or daughter’s oral health. She currently runs her own pediatric practice, and she can be contacted through her website or by phone at (205) 870-0892 for any questions.

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