Plano Dentists at Imagecare Dental

Question:  “Dr. Thompson, what should I do to create good dental habits for my kids?”

Answer:  Fortunately over the past decade our society has placed a much larger emphasis on dental health. With this being the case, children and parents alike are establishing healthy habits much earlier in life.

As soon as your children’s teeth appear, begin brushing their teeth twice daily. In the beginning, we recommend you use an infant toothbrush without toothpaste then transition to a infant formula toothpaste available at your local pharmacy or grocery store. Begin immediately teaching your child not to swallow the toothpaste.  Once your children are able to brush their teeth for themselves, encourage them to do so while you watch. Remind them to brush the tongue side, tops or chewing side and the cheek sides of the teeth. The best time for them to brush their teeth is after breakfast and before they go to bed.

In order to make sure your kids are brushing correctly it is best for you to follow up and help them complete the job. It is also a good idea for your kids to use a toothbrush, toothpaste and “flossers” specifically designed for them. Kids who are taught how to use these tools by their parents at an early age are much more likely to carry healthy dental habits into adulthood. You can also encourage your children by brushing your own teeth with them every morning and evening.  I have learned by experience that sometimes kids tend to rush through brushing, so a buy them a timer or hour glass and set it at about three minutes for a more thorough brushing.

At our office the doctors and hygienist usually begin seeing children at the age of three. However, if there is an obvious problem, we will see them as early as age one. By scheduling your children’s first appointment by age three, you allow your children to get acclimated to visiting the dentist at an early age, and the dentist is able to make sure any early problems are addressed and taken care of quickly. Don’t forget to plan for prevention by asking your dentist or hygienist for in office fluoride treatments and dental sealants for your kids.

Another way to establish healthy dental habits in your kids is to limit their intake of soda, high sugar containing juices and junk food. It is also important for children to eat a balanced diet from the basic food groups. By teaching them to eat a nutritious diet at an early age, your children will be more likely to have healthy eating habits as adults.

Something else to consider is that many brands of bottled water do not contain fluoride. With this being the case, it is recommended that your kids drink fluoridated bottled water or “tap” water because its fluoridation will help strengthen their developing teeth.

The final concern you should have is the amount of “sugary” cereal and juice your children consume. It is a good idea to check the packages for the amount of sugar these foods and beverages contain because cereals and juices with extremely high amounts of sugar are much more likely to cause cavities.

If you establish healthy habits with your children at an early age, as well as bring them to the dentist consistently, they are more likely to grow up with healthy teeth and gums and face fewer dental problems as adults.

Plano dentist, Dr. Thompson maintains his private dental practice  (Imagecare Dental) in Plano, TX. For more information on this or any other dental topic, please visit: www.imagecaredentalgroup.com .  If you have questions for Dr. Thompson, please send an e-mail to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or mail him a 6841 Coit Rd, Plano, TX 75024