How Can We Avoid a Cavity? Pt. 3

Make sure your child brushes! Brushing with fluoride toothpaste is important for preventing cavities. Here’s what you should know about brushing:

Have your child brush at least twice each day. Supervise young children when they brush. For children aged 2 to 6, you should put the toothpaste on the brush. Use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallow it. Children under 6 tend to swallow much of the toothpaste on their brush. If children regularly consume higher-than-recommended amounts of fluoride during the teeth-forming years (age 8 and younger), their permanent teeth may develop white lines or flecks called dental fluorosis. Fluorosis is usually mild; in many cases, only a dental professional would notice it. (In children under age 2, dental experts recommend that you do not use fluoride toothpaste unless directed by a physician or dentist.)

Until they are 7 or 8 years old, you will need to help your child brush. Young children cannot get their teeth clean by themselves. Try brushing your child’s teeth first, then let him or her finish.

If you, your family or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice.  Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

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39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360. www.drshooverandyanda.com