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So your child has spent all summer eating sticky, gooey, sugary treats and you may or may not be sure that he’s brushing as often as he says he is. If that’s the case, he could have quite a bit of plaque on his teeth, and sometimes, no matter how long or often he is brushing, the plaque prevents his teeth from looking white. Here are some tips on getting his pearly whites pearly again before the school year starts.
- Schedule a dentist visit. The ADA recommends that everyone visit the dentist at least twice a year, starting at age 1. The dentist can give your child’s teeth a good cleaning, which gets rid of the yellowish tartar that may have collected, and also address any other issues present, such as cavities and the potential need for braces.
- Have your child brush and floss daily. Just a pea-sized amount of whitening toothpaste with fluoride helps remove starch and sugar from teeth so that the brightness of his smile can shine through. The biggest trick here is making sure your child sticks it out for the entire two minutes. There are various timers available, and even apps, such as T-Rex Toothbrush Timer and Brush DJ, that make sure the two-minute mark is met every time. Also, as soon as he has two teeth that actually touch, it’s time to teach him the ways of using dental floss.
- Whitening strips. Once your child has permanent front teeth, around 12 years of age, over-the-counter whitening strips can help keep them beaming. Just be sure that when using the strips that you follow the directions closely. You can expect to see results after a few weeks. Also, having them brush with a desensitizing toothpaste beforehand is often helpful.
The best way to discover ways to keep your child’s smile beaming is to instill good habits early on. If you have questions about how, or your child has other oral health issues, talk to your dentist about the best way to handle them.
