brushing

Do you have a reluctant brusher or flosser?  A child who drags their feet to brush their teeth in the morning or at night?  Here are some tips to try to encourage your young child to brush more often.

• Make brushing and flossing part of a daily routine.  Making brushing a natural part of every day will help reinforce to your child it's just something they do, like getting dressed in the morning.
• Let them pick out dental supplies.  Young kids are more likely to opt in if they have choice.  Let them choose a favorite color toothbrush or a different kind of fluoride toothpaste.  This makes them feel like part of the dental process.
• Create a rewards chart.  Sometimes kids just need a little push to make brushing or flossing a regular part of the day.  Hang up a rewards chart where kids earn a sticker for each time they brush or floss without you needing to remind them.  When they collect 20 stickers, give them a modest prize.
• Show them you brush and floss too.  Being a good example to your kids goes a long way in showing that dental care is important at your house.

As your child's pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to serve all your child's dental needs.  If you have any questions for our office, feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.

About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists

Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are doctor spouses who have been working as kids dentists in Tucson for years.  They have deep ties to Tucson, as well as the surrounding Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and other areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children. If you’re looking for a general dentist for kids in Tucson, contact us today at (520) 544-8522.

An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure.  There are three basic prevention techniques that can drastically reduce the cavity formation.  Let's go over each one in turn:

1. Brushing: This one should come to no surprise to anyone.  Brushing removes harmful bacteria that can cause cavities in your child's mouth.  You should brush twice a day.
2. Flossing: Flossing is like brushing in between your teeth, where your toothbrush can't reach.  Floss at least once a deal.
3. Sealants: A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating that is bonded to the chewing surface of the tooth. The sealant fills the deep pits and grooves of molars, providing a barrier to keep food and bacteria out, thus reducing the risk of decay by up to 50%.

As your child's pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to take care of all your children's dental needs.  If you have any questions, feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.

About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists

Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are doctor spouses who have been working as kids dentists in Tucson for years.  They have deep ties to Tucson, as well as the surrounding Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and other areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children. If you’re looking for a general dentist for kids in Tucson, contact us today at (520) 544-8522.