Oral Hygiene BasicsAsheville, NC

Teaching your child to brush his or her teeth properly

As a Asheville pediatric dentist, we know that a patient's technique for brushing is just as important as how often a patient brushes the teeth. It is important for your child to use a soft toothbrush that will not irritate the gums or cause the enamel on the teeth to erode. Many people make the mistake of thinking that a hard toothbrush is necessary for keeping teeth clean; this is not the case. As long as your child brushes correctly, a soft toothbrush will work equally well without damaging the teeth. Be sure your child brushes in a circular pattern, starting at the gum line and working toward the center of the mouth. This will move food particles, bacteria and plaque away from your child's gum line. Your child should brush his or her teeth in quadrants, being sure to brush each section for at least 30 seconds with a small amount of pressure. Using fluoride toothpaste will also provide additional protection from cavities for your child. We recommend that your child brushes three times a day – morning, after lunch and before bed. While we understand the difficulty for your child to brush during school, there are travel-size tooth brushes you can place in your child's backpack for use. Brushing two to three times a day will keep your child's mouth clean without causing irritation from over-brushing. Additionally, be sure to buy a new toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles are frayed, if the toothbrush is stained or smells bad.

Flossing is essential for your child’s teeth and gums

At Dennis R. Campbell, DDS, we remind our patients that it is critical to floss on a daily basis. If your child lives in the local area and has not been to the dentist lately, we invite you to schedule an appointment so that we can clean his or her teeth. While a regular brushing schedule can help keep a child's teeth clean, our staff can remove the plaque and bacteria from the hard to reach places. Afterward, it is up to your child to floss on a daily basis to remove food particles and plaque from between the teeth. Plaque that remains in place can lead to gum disease, which is dangerous to your child's oral and overall health. Gum disease occurs when plaque forms underneath the gum line, partially due to a lack of flossing. If your child does not particularly enjoy flossing, buy a plastic flossing tool that he or she can hold and throw away once done. This makes it easier for a child to get the job done.

Selecting the right mouthwash

When your child uses mouthwash, it is important to be sure that it is sugar-free. Mouthwash that contains fluoride will help to kill any lingering bacteria and strengthen your child's teeth. If possible, have your child use mouthwash to rinse his or her mouth out after meals, drinking a soda or consuming large amounts of sugary food. As a Asheville, NC pediatric dentist office, we understand that it is difficult for a child to brush more than a couple of times per day. Fortunately, rinsing the mouth is relatively easy and everyone has time for it. By taking this simple step, your child can reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease. When you visit our office, ask about a mouthwash that is right for your child.