How to Develop Good Dental Care Habits

Optimal dental habits are like a solid financial investment. The day-to-day effort required for both is minimal, and the long-term “wealth” (in the case of good oral hygiene, wealth=health) accumulated is literally hard to put a price tag on.

Establishing solid dental habits, like brushing and flossing, at an early age, will benefit your child for the rest of their life. The Super Dentists, San Diego’s largest, most trusted & top awarded pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and parent dentistry practice, believes developing and sustaining good oral hygiene at home is an important way to ensure life-long overall health. 

What is the Best Oral Care Routine?

When thinking about good oral hygiene and optimal dental habits to follow, it’s helpful to remember one size does not fit all. That said, good dental habits apply to everyone. Taking care of your child’s teeth and gums is in their best interest, especially considering oral health is linked to their overall wellbeing.

•   Try the 2 x 2 method. Is your child currently brushing their teeth long enough? A sure-fire way to ensure their pearly whites receive the requisite attention is the 2 x 2 brushing schedule – they should brush their teeth twice each day for at 2 minutes each time. Think about it…that’s just 4 total minutes out of their day. A small time investment time, with big benefits! The 2 x 2 method is promoted by the American Dental Association (ADA), and we’re certainly on board with this technique for improving dental habits! In fact, our exciting & innovative Super Toothbrush includes a 2-minute song to help your child establish good oral hygiene practices.
•   Limit sugar intake. Some of the best dental habits happen far from the bathroom sink. Excessive sugar consumption is the #1 cause of tooth decay in children. Even a disciplined dental care schedule can do little against an onslaught of sugary candy and soft drinks. Watch how much sugar your child is actually eating – there’s a ton of hidden fructose, glucose and other simple sugars in many foods and snacks.
•   Floss every day. Flossing is often overlooked, but equally as important as a daily brushing routine. Make sure your child flosses at least once a day, either morning or evening, whichever they’re more likely to do consistently.
•   Visit The Super Dentists on a regular basis. We recommend kids be seen by the dentists every 6 months to ensure they’re on the right track with good oral hygiene. It’s a simple step, and your child will love each and every visit to The Super Dentists, where we turn fear into fun! 

Bonus Tips: Dental Habits to Break

Good oral hygiene is also about what NOT to do. Avoid these habits, and your child’s teeth and gums will suddenly be worth smiling about!

•   Brushing with the wrong brush. Always opt for soft bristle toothbrushes. Medium and hard bristles add unnecessary friction to the teeth and gums, and are counterproductive to good oral hygiene.
•   Stop biting nails. Did you know about half of children under 18 years old bite their nails? This common habit contributes to excessive pressure on the teeth and gums. And it’s unsanitary to boot – nail biting introduces unwanted bacteria germs into the mouth cavity.

 Visit The Super Dentists – We’ll Help Your Entire Family with Good Dental Habits!

The Super Dentists is committed to comprehensive dental care, and our San Diego-area offices are staffed with some of the region’s best pediatric dentists, general dentists and orthodontists. Plus, we can ease dental anxiety with fun, innovative, immersive adventures during each visit! And remember, we’re also known for our grown up teen and parent dentistry services, too!

Come see why 1 in every 5 San Diego children in San Diego is a Super kid. Book an appointment today, and give your child an out-of-this-world dental experience. Text us at (844) 765-1234, or call (855) GO SUPER (467-8737). Thanks for visiting The Super Dentists!