What You Need To Know About Oral Care For Kids

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{Sponsored. Consideration provided by Firefly}

Oral care is a big deal in my home, especially for the kids. Three decades without experiencing a single cavity seems like an enigma. Particularly when I read the statistics on dental disease in the US. Now the most common disease in children, prevention is becoming essential. Check out the stats on dental disease in children here in the United States:

Half of all kids in the US have dental disease.
Dental health is as big a problem as obesity.
Dental disease is the #1 reason for emergency room visits.
Cavities are contagious.
Kids who drink 3 or more sugary sodas a day have 62% more dental problems.

How to prevent dental disease in children

The surprising truth about cavities is that they really are preventable. While some children may be predisposed due to genetics, there are many steps that can be taken to prevent or even reverse tooth decay in its early stages.

Brush teeth and gums at least twice a day, preferably after each meal. Don’t forget to brush before bedtime.
Floss daily to remove plaque and food that can get stuck in between teeth.
Use a fluoride rinse daily (be sure to consult with your pediatric dentist before using a fluoride rinse). Fluoride can prevent, reverse, and/or stop early tooth decay.
Limit your child’s intake of sugary foods and drinks.
Schedule regular dental check-ups every 6 months.

How to Encourage Good Oral Care in Children

For many parents, the bedtime brushing routine can be a battle. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make brushing fun. We love Firefly’s good, clean, fun oral care products. Their toothbrushes and rinses feature my kids’ favorite characters, including Hello Kitty, Barbie, Spider Man and Star Wars. Our favorite brush is the Ready Go Light-up Timer Toothbrush, which features a flashing timer that helps my kids know how long to brush their teeth (hint…it’s 2 minutes!). Their smart solutions like suction cups on the bottom of their toothbrushes to keep the counter organized and Fun Pump Rinses with No Mess Cups that empower kids to do it themselves, help instill this important habit in a way that is fun and engaging.

Start early. You can begin gently cleaning your baby’s mouth after he/she nurses by simply rubbing a damp washcloth over the gums. As soon as the first tooth comes in, it’s time to start brushing.
Model healthy oral care habits. Children learn by example and will often do what their parents do rather than what they say. Consider brushing together as a family.
Help your child brush his/her teeth. Younger children may require assistance until 6 or 7 years old. You might consider letting your child brush first and then helping him/her to finish. Remember to brush up and down in a circular motion, both the teeth and the gums.
Encourage independence. Children long to exert their independence. Brushing is a great way to help them do this and make oral care a life-long habit. Firefly’s Ready Go Toothbrush will flash green when it’s time to begin brushing, yellow when they are almost done and red when they can stop. Children can use this toothbrush and take charge of their oral care routine. Similarly, they can use the Fun Pump Rinse to measure out the correct dosage without the mess.
Give children choices. It may seem simple enough, but children who make decisions like picking out their favorite character toothbrush and rinse are more likely to actually use these items.
Provide incentives. If you are struggling to get your child to brush his/her teeth, consider offering rewards. You can easily print out a rewards chart which serves as a reminder to brush in the morning and the evening. After a prescribed amount of time (i.e. 1 week), a child might earn a reward (a favorite book at story time, a small toy, etc.) for consistent brushing.
Incorporate play time into brush time. Pretend play works well with my daughter. She absolutely loves “taking care” of her dolls. One way to instill healthy oral care habits in children is to have a child pick out a favorite toy and “brush teeth.” And with boys, The Star Wars Lightsaber Toothbrush and the 3D Sculpted Handle Stormtrooper Toothbrush are great ways to enlist the force during brush time. The Star Wars Lightsaber Toothbrushes feature designs and voice commands from Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan, Kylo Ren and Rey.

Firefly toothbrushes and oral care products are available at Walmart, Target and Walgreens. Products range in price between $2-$5.

Win a Family Vacation

Be sure to enter the Star Wars Rebel Smiles Sweepstakes for a chance to win a family trip to the Space Center Houston. You can enter via the Firefly Facebook page through February 17th, 2017.

For more information or to connect with Firefly, visit them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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Caryn Bailey

Caryn is a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night and mom 24/7. She savors the warm Southern California sun and loves to travel, shopping, baking, reading and frequenting her local tea room. Caryn created the column Lavishly Green for Peekaboo Picks Magazine to share her best tips for going green in style, she is the Former editor for Family Review Network, former OC Family Magazine online contributor, former Orange County Moms Blog contributor, former Evenflo Savvy Parent contributor, former member of the Totsy Advisory Board and former freelance writer for CBS Los Angeles.