The vast majority of the parents we see in the practice say that their children "already brush themselves", and almost every time we ask them why, the answer is the wrong reason. Sometimes it is because "we don't have time" to dedicate that moment to our children's oral health, and other times it is because they don't even let them.
However, it is essential that we supervise their brushing at least until they are 8 years old. They are children, and often lack of desire, sleep, rushing to do other activities or simply lack of attention or skill mean that their brushing is quick and of poor quality.
That is why, when they go to the dental clinic for a check-up, in addition to many other factors such as nutrition, many parents are shaking their heads when they see that their children have cavities or the results of the plaque detector.
It is difficult in childhood to develop a sense of obligation towards dental health or to understand that an act such as proper toothbrushing is the best method available to prevent tooth decay, and that tooth decay, if it does appear, is not only very painful but can compromise dental health on several levels and affect adulthood.
That is why, just as we have the habit as parents of helping with homework, we should also get into the habit of helping with brushing. It is not necessary to do it the three times a day, but just doing it at night, which is the most important, would be enough. A good way to integrate it into our routine is for the whole family to brush their teeth at the same time, if we can balance our dinner times.
It is also important to make sure that they pass the dental arch to remove the food that remains between teeth, and that they brush for two minutes, cleaning the gum and teeth area so that the fluoride provided by the toothpaste can remineralise the interdental area.
Subsequently, we must brush with emphasis on the upper and back molars, where they do not usually reach, and brushing the gums in all areas. Remember that if in the process of brushing the gums a slight bleeding appears in any area, it is not because you are hurting them or brushing too hard, but because if the gums are dirty they become inflamed and bleed, so this bleeding indicates that they are not brushing well in that area. If he complains of discomfort, we should pass the brush with a sweeping or circular movement very slowly, but the bleeding will not disappear until he brushes well the following days.
In addition, we can use plaque disclosers, available in most pharmacies, and use them as a kind of fun game to find out if they are not brushing their teeth properly. This technique has the added advantage that our son or daughter can see for themselves that they are not brushing correctly in some areas and try to correct it themselves or with our help, involving them in their dental health care at all times.
