In today’s fast-paced lives, where we often feel overwhelmed with small tasks, brushing teeth can sometimes seem like something that can be skipped, especially by kids.
But is it so??
Can we skip brushing?
Is brushing a luxury?
Let’s find out.
Brushing teeth may seem like a small part of your daily routine, but it is one of the most important habits you’ll ever develop. For children, it lays the foundation for strong and healthy teeth, so it’s essential to start early. Start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts.
For adults, it protects against painful and costly dental problems, and you can preserve your natural teeth and overall health. If the habit of brushing twice daily is instilled from childhood, you may have fewer dental problems as an adult.
Let’s explore 5 compelling reasons why brushing teeth isn’t optional; it’s a lifelong necessity.
5 Reasons Why Brushing Teeth is Not a Luxury But a Necessity
1. Prevents Cavities and Tooth Decay
It is a myth that cavities and tooth decay are seen only in those who eat a lot of chocolate and junk food. It is not true. Yes, chocolates and junk food cause cavities, but if you don’t brush and remnants of food particles are on your teeth 24/7, you are highly prone to getting cavities.
Brushing removes plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, that produces acids and leads to tooth decay.
Did You Know?
The Indian Dental Association reports that over 60% of school-going children and 85% of adults suffer from cavities at some point in their lives.2. Protects Your Gums and Prevents Tooth Loss
Brushing regularly also protects your gums and not just your teeth. When you skip brushing, a layer of plaque builds up. When this layer is located on the margin of your teeth and gums, it gradually causes inflammation of your gums, known as gingivitis. It then, over the period, starts getting hard (calculus) and causing inflammation and infection both to your gums and the bone below it, in which your teeth are embedded.
When this happens, your teeth lose support and finally become loose. Eventually, you lose your teeth.
Did you know?
You could have prevented toothloss by doing the following 2 things:
1. Brushing teeth regularly twice a day
2. Visiting your dentist and getting a check up daone every 6 months. Get a cleaning (scaling) done if required. 3. Builds Confidence with Fresh Breath and a Healthy Smile
Unclean teeth and tongue give you bad breath, which is especially unpleasant to others. Keeping your teeth can help you have fresh breath and give you more confidence. Cleaning the tongue is also very important as the bacteria harbour in the grooves of the tongue, which should be cleaned regularly. Many people who do not clean their tongue have bad breath despite having clean teeth.
And for children, brushing from an early age teaches them to take pride in their appearance and hygiene.
Did you know?
Staying well hydrated helps in reducing bad breath.
4. Supports Your Overall Health
Did you know oral health is linked to overall health? Yes! It is true. Many studies have shown that poor brushing habits are related to increased risk of:
– Heart Disease
– Diabetes
– Respiratory Infections
– Low birth weight in pregnant women
So, brushing teeth is a part of preventive healthcare and not just oral care.
Did you know?
People with gum diseases are 2-3 times more likely to have a heart attack, stroke or serious cardiovascular illness.5. Saves You from Expensive Dental Treatments
Brushing teeth for two minutes twice a day can help you save expensive treatments by preventing cavities and gum disease.
Instead of paying for dental treatment and then calling it expensive, you can take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing daily. Not just the expense, but you need to go through the drilling, which can be a little annoying sometimes.
Did you know?
A ₹50 toothbrush and brushing 2 minutes twice a day can help you save thousands and lakhs of rupees. When should brushing teeth start for kids?
As soon as the first tooth erupts in the child’s mouth. Do not delay. The first tooth requires cleaning as much as the rest of them do. Starting to brush early will not only keep the mouth clean but also inculcate the habit of brushing in your kid. The cleaning of a baby’s gums and tongue should start at birth. A clean cotton cloth can be wrapped around the finger and used to clean the gums and tongue.
Which toothpaste should I use for my kid?? Or should I use toothpaste for my kid?
Yes, use a grain size of toothpaste for your child till the age of 3 years, and a pea size after the age of 3 years. Use only a kid’s age-appropriate fluoridated toothpaste for your child.
How should I start brushing my kid’s teeth, as he or she doesn’t allow me to do so?
Make it a game, a fun and a family time. Brush along with your child. Let your child brush your teeth. This will create interest as well as let your child learn that it is an important and routine thing to do.
Show your child videos of kids brushing teeth.
You can pretend to play dentist with your kid.
When we start late, it becomes difficult to inculcate the habit.
How should I clean my toddler’s tongue?
You can clean the tongue with either a kid’s tongue cleaner or the brush itself. Make it a routine, as this is the place we miss brushing or forget brushing. The organisms harbour there, causing halitosis (Bad smell). So do not ignore this important organ.
Should I let my kid brush his or her teeth?
The answer is NO. Not till the age of 5-6 years. Kids lack dexterity, and it takes time to develop, so they miss out on a lot of surfaces where the food gets deposited. This leads to cavities. To prevent this, it is best to brush your kid’s teeth yourself. They might insist on brushing themselves, but it’s our duty as parents not to let them do so.
Bonus Tip for Parents: Start Early and Lead by Example
- Start cleaning your baby’s gums even before the first tooth erupts
- Introduce brushing with a soft-bristle brush once the first tooth appears
- Brush together as a family to build consistent habits
Children who observe their parents brushing their teeth daily are more likely to adopt the habit themselves.
Happy Brushing!! 😀
To book an appointment with us, you can click the link below.
Oral Health, Dental Health, Brushing, Brushing teeth, Flossing, Dental Visit, Visit your dentist, Teeth, Tooth, 32 Sparklets, Brushing teeth every day
