When thinking about life during your early years, what memories come to mind? According to a 2013 survey taken among readers of Psychology Today magazine, visiting a dental clinic is one of the most common earliest childhood memories. Other popular memories include birthday parties, the first day of kindergarten, and long road trips.
Not many of us remember our parents teaching us how to properly brush and floss our teeth; this is probably because we seldom have early memories of processes and activities we take for granted. To this effect, not many of us will remember the first time we were able to stand and take a few steps on our own. We are more likely to remember, however, getting some quick lessons on oral hygiene at pre-school or during visits to the dentist.
The reason we don’t easily remember our parents teaching us to brush and floss is because that would be part of the quotidian recall, which is a memory process we don’t develop until later in life; it is what makes us able to remember where we left our keys. Our early visits to the dentist were not quotidian matters, which is why we are more likely to remember them.
As parents, we often think about ensuring that our children learn things that will be helpful in their lives; for example, swimming, speaking a second language, being polite, taking an interest in books, and many others. Proper oral hygiene should be at the top of this list, and you want this to become more than just a healthy habit; you want it to feel like second nature.
Early Stimulation
An important outcome of brushing and flossing is that the gums are stimulated every day, ideally at least twice a day. This stimulation should begin as early as possible, ideally during early infancy. There is really nothing to brush or floss at this stage, which is why the stimulation of baby gums should be done with a moist washcloth after feeding, and with soft rubbing.
Early Exposure
As soon as your baby starts paying attention to parental faces, you may want to take advantage of this cognitive progress by showing the child what brushing and flossing look like, preferably after feeding. If your baby is not yet curious, you may need to be silly and exaggerate the activity; you will know you have succeeded when you hear cute baby laughs.
Early Brushing
Your baby’s first brushing session will occur when the first tooth appears. Use an infant brush with soft bristles and use a circular motion that your baby will feel around the gums; explain each step out loud in a clear and friendly voice. It is around this time when you should schedule the first dental visit, which Temple Family Dentistry will ensure is memorable enough to become an early childhood memory.
If you have questions about early oral hygiene and dental care for your children, be sure to contact Temple Family Dentistry. We love meeting young new patients and treating entire families.
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If you have questions about early oral hygiene and dental care for your children, be sure to contact Temple Family Dentistry. We love meeting young new patients and treating entire families.