How Often Should My Kids Be Brushing Their Teeth?

Your child's teeth are a part of their overall health. You can think about your child's body much like a car—always refueling. The only method of fuel, or food, entering the body is through the mouth, so that's a pretty active place. And, with the frequency of eating day in and day out, your mouth pretty much becomes a playground for bacteria!

Most of the food ingredients included in each and every Indian family, like turmeric, stain the teeth. Then there are these sticky, sweet candies that attach to your teeth and gums, giving bacteria a very welcoming environment to grow.

Why Nighttime Brushing is a Must

By the end of the day, your child's mouth is full of food particles, sugars, and acids. If these are not cleaned away, they may cause stains and, even worse, cavities. The food debris, when the teeth are not cleaned and it remains attached, creates an acidic environment in the mouth. This softens the protective enamel covering of the tooth. On this roughened surface now, bacteria will start to grow and form a cavity over some time if not treated.

It is worth noting that night brushing is somewhat important because it dislodges the accumulation of food particles and bacteria during the day. The fluoride in the toothpaste strengthens the enamel to help reverse the damage created by acids. Some studies say this makes night brushing even more important than brushing in the morning.

Morning Brushing: Fresh Breath and a Healthy Start

Brushing in the morning, though less important compared to night brushing, still performs a number of important functions. It gets rid of morning breath, freshening up the mouth after the night's sleep. Therefore, in as much as nighttime brushing is the best defense against cavities, morning-night brushing, that is, twice a day, is the ultimate routine that will keep your child's teeth healthy.

The Long-Term Benefits of Brushing Twice a Day

Building a routine of brushing up to twice a day not only protects the teeth in the short term but also sets up your child for a lifetime of good dental health. Habits developed during childhood, such as regular brushing, will go well into adulthood.

Since treating is more cumbersome, at Smiling Stars Children Dental Hospital, we believe in prevention instead of cure. We give advice on maintaining oral hygiene at home since a healthy smile began with habits well developed early enough.

Brushing your teeth can be a simple thing to do, even just twice a day, yet it is a powerful step toward ensuring your child keeps that healthy, bright smile into the years ahead!