2 Important Questions to Ask Your Dentist About Your Child's Teeth

When it comes to your young child's teeth, it is going to be up to you to take care of them. Because of this, it is very important that you are doing all that you can to keep your child's teeth healthy and strong. If you have certain questions about your child's teeth that you need answered, then a great person to ask is going to be your child's dentist. A pediatric dentist is going to have an extensive knowledge of your child's teeth and how to properly care for them. This article is going to discuss 2 important questions to ask your dentist about your child's teeth.

When Do You Need to Start Flossing Their Teeth?

One important question to ask your child's dentist is when you should begin flossing your child's teeth. Since flossing is required for all adults, it is important to know when this transition takes places. Your child's dentist will likely explain to you that you need to start flossing your child's teeth as soon as the teeth begin to fill in and the space between them closes so that the teeth are actually touching.

It is at this point in time that food can start to get stuck between them, creating a build up of plaque and tartar. Floss is going to be the most effective tool at removing this build up, and you can even have the dentist show you the proper technique for flossing your child's teeth.

When Should You Allow Your Child to Brush His or Her Own Teeth?

Another important question to ask your family dentist is when you should allow your child to begin brushing his or her own teeth. While it is obviously going to be your job to brush your child's teeth initially, there is going to come a time when they need to learn to do this themselves. While the age on this may vary a bit, your child's dentist is likely going to tell your different things to look for to indicate that your child is ready to brush their own teeth.

Some indications may be that your child has developed a higher level of dexterity, such as the ability to tie their own shoes, and that they have a good grasp on the importance of oral hygiene.  You can start off by teaching them how to properly brush, then monitor them while they are brushing, and then finally to just letting them brush their teeth all on their own.