Fact:  Regardless of whether your teeth are milk or permanent, good hygiene and oral care will ensure you have healthy teeth for a longer time.

Given today’s lifestyle, most children are exposed to refined sugar in the form of bread, chocolates, biscuits, cakes, soft drinks and more. All these contribute to tooth decay.

The best way to prevent and fight tooth decay is to follow good oral habits from a young age. Do note, tooth decay in milk teeth can also cause pain and lead to dental problems. Therefore, make it a habit to brush their teeth twice a day. Brushing for two minutes, twice a day can help maintain great oral health.

While kids want to do everything on their own and grow up faster, supervising them while brushing is a must. Learning the right brushing techniques in early childhood can keep many teeth monsters away!

Parents can motivate their kids to brush better by allowing them to select their own toothbrushes, toothpaste flavours and even listen to their favourite rhymes or jingles. In fact, it is recommended that parents brush their kid’s teeth twice a day till the age of 5-6 and allow them to brush independently between the age group of 6-8.

While commercial ads show children brushing their teeth with generous quantities of toothpaste, the reality is opposite. It is recommended that you use less quantity of toothpaste and brush their teeth properly. 

According to research and supportive evidence, kids below three years of age should use a rice grain sized toothpaste. For children above three years of age, it is recommended to use a pea sized quantity of toothpaste for brushing their teeth.

It is a common misconception that toothbrushes need to be covered post brushing of teeth. The truth is toothbrushes with covers remain damp and become breeding ground for microorganisms including harmful bacteria.

Studies have revealed that toothbrushes that are washed, dried and stored without any covers are less likely to be contaminated than those with covers. However, you can choose to cover your toothbrushes when travelling to ensure safe storage and transportation.

The enamel of a child’s teeth is thinner compared to an adult’s teeth. So, cavities tend to spread easily and affect the surrounding areas faster. In some cases, the cavities can spread rapidly and become severe and difficult to be treated with a filling.