Keeping your child?s smile healthy is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. Children may need assistance while brushing their teeth up until the age of 10 or 11. What are some ways to ensure your child?s teeth are as healthy as they can be?

Start brushing from an early age

To keep your child?s teeth healthy and happy, begin brushing their teeth at the earliest age possible. For children under the age of two, use less than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to reduce the risk of swallowing. As for children between the ages of two and five, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is fine, but be sure to continue brushing your child?s teeth yourself twice a day (as recommended by the American Dental Association) for the best results.

Have your child pay attention

During the early years in which you?re brushing your child?s teeth, make sure they?re paying attention to how you?re brushing their teeth so they?ll follow your example once they?re old enough to brush their teeth effectively on their own. According to Colgate, you should be brushing your child?s teeth at a 45-degree angle toward their gums with warm water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Move the toothbrush in small, circular motions around the inside and outside of the teeth. In addition, be sure to brush the tongue to remove bacteria that may cause stinky breath.

Know when to change your child?s toothbrush

Toothbrushes should be replaced every four months at the least in order to keep germs from spreading. However, three out of four adults fail to replace their toothbrushes when they should. Be sure to replace your child?s toothbrush when needed, and earlier if the bristles are frayed, in order to reduce the possibility of spreading illness such as the flu virus.

Take your child to the dentist regularly

Because children are only able to begin brushing their teeth in earnest by the age of eight, it?s necessary to ensure your child sees their dentist twice every year for check-ups. Having cavities in a child?s baby teeth is temporary, but increases the probability of cavities in their adult teeth later in life.

It?s also important to establish a healthy dentistry schedule. Every year, 100 million Americans fail to see their dentist (cosmetic dentist or otherwise) and the average time allotted between dental visits for Americans was three years as of 2015. Waiting to find a dentist may be dangerous, especially considering the risk of gum disease. A cosmetic dentist is able to rejuvenate a person?s smile with the help of teeth straightening and Invisalign use, but

Find a dentist that?s right for your child

If your child?s teeth are healthy but are crooked and causing difficulty, seeing a cosmetic dentist is a viable option. A cosmetic dentist is able to rejuvenate a person?s smile with the help of teeth straightening and Invisalign use. Your cosmetic dentist may also be able to brighten smiles using teeth whitening procedures.

Ensure your child?s healthy smile by teaching them to brush early, brush correctly, and brush for a lifetime. Happy teeth mean a happy life!