Common Dental Hygiene Mistakes to Look Out For

Posted May 4, 2020

Teaching your child to take good care of their teeth is as much about teaching what not to do as much as what they should do. For example, brushing and flossing their teeth is a good thing, but rushing through the process or scrubbing their teeth too roughly might lead to greater oral health risks. Today, we take a look at a few common dental hygiene mistakes to look out for in your child’s daily routine, and why you should correct them whenever you notice them.

Not brushing and flossing long enough

Time is one of the greatest factors in everyone’s dental health, whether it’s preventing a dental issue from forming or treating one before it gets too serious. When it comes to good hygiene, it also matters that your child takes enough time to properly clean their teeth, which should be about two minutes, on average. It takes that much time to effectively clean every surface of every tooth, so it’s just as important to make sure your child pays attention during that time. Otherwise, they’re more likely to miss spots of plaque that could calcify into tartar and pose an even greater threat to their oral health.

Scrubbing too harshly

Being diligent is one thing, but if your child starts scrubbing their teeth too harshly in an attempt to clean them better, they may do even more damage to their healthy tooth enamel. The point of brushing their teeth is clean them thoroughly, not vigorously. A good toothbrush, toothpaste, and water should be enough to gently brush away any plaque deposits and buildup of food particles. If you notice your child putting too much physical effort into their brushing technique, then teach them to be more gentle to preserve the strength of their teeth.

Brushing right after eating

Your child’s teeth are most at-risk after eating or drinking something. That’s because oral bacteria become harmful when they metabolize nutrients into harmful substances. Therefore, it’s a good idea for your child to clean their teeth after eating; yet, not immediately afterward. Healthy tooth enamel is at its weakest right after bacteria attack it, and brushing them at this time can increase the chances of damaging their enamel. For optimal results, teach your child to wait at least 30 minutes after eating or snacking.

Teach your child to avoid these mistakes

As you teach your child the basics of good dental hygiene, be sure to look out for mistakes that could turn into bad habits if they aren’t corrected. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX today at 214-321-4880. We proudly serve patients who live around Casa Linda and all surrounding Dallas communities.