Important Toothbrush Basics to Remember

Get your child to brush his pearly whites by giving him a toothbrush that he will absolutely adore: a "fun" toothbrush with brilliant colors and wacky shapes. But fun isn't the only requirement; here are other brush essentials to keep in mind:

• Choose a toothbrush that's small enough for your child to hold comfortably. A long one may strain his arm while brushing.

• Look for small, rounded head. A big headed brush may not reach the tight areas of his small mouth.

• Change toothbrush every three months. By then, the bristles are worn out, less effective, and may also harbor harmful bacteria.
  

Tips for Caring your child's teeth

Heres a nice article I found from a magazine, its about how to care for your child's teeth.

• Do not give your infant or small child a bottle of milk, formula, juice or any product that contains sugar when putting them to bed. The sugar causes tooth decay.

• Encourage your baby to start drinking from a cup around 9 months or shortly thereafter.

• Clean your child's teeth with a gauze pad or soft cloth when they first surface. Once they break through, use a soft children toothbrush with water only.

• Encourage your child to stop sucking their thumb or fingers. See your dentist if you're unsuccessful.

• Around 1-2 years of age a dot of toothpaste may be used on the child's toothbrush. Encourage your child not to swallow the toothpaste and rinse well with water.

• By age 3 or 4, children should be able to brush their won teeth. You should check your children teeth to ensure proper brushing.

• Have your child brush their teeth twice a day.

• Gently floss between your child's teeth until they learn the proper technique.

• Schedule regular dental checkup for your child as early as 2 years of age. (Make sure your dentist and hygienist work well with children).
  

• Be an example, brush and floss regularly and maintain regular dental appointments.

What do you look for in a dentist??

Ok my baby's teeth is not yet out, shes 8 months now, but when choosing a dentist for yourself and for your kids what do you look for? Here are some guidelines to follow:

1. Ask a friend. Ask a friend or a relative or a co-worker. Ask if they have a dentist they would recommend.

2. Look for the dentist credentials. Look for diplomas and some certificate on seminars attended. joining seminars and organizations updates the dentist on new technology, current dental trends and techniques.

3. Location and space of the dentist clinic. Of course its important that your dentist is not that far away from your residence and that the dentist clinic is spacious and accommodating, some dentist have plenty of clients that there no space for you to wait for your turn.

4. Schedule. Yup its also nice that the schedule of your dentist corresponds with your's. Some dentist tend to have a clinic every M-W-F some everyday.

5. Be comfortable. Its very important to be comfortable with your dentist, my wife is very picky when it comes to dentist, she always look if the dentist teeth are good, she always said" why pick that dentist if he/she can't take care of his/her teeth( hmm she has a point there).