Babies and children are especially susceptible to tooth decay. In fact, new teeth can begin to decay the moment they emerge from the gums, which is why we recommend parents start encouraging good oral care habits while their kids are young.
Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, start to emerge from the gums around 6 to 10 months of age. As soon as the first tooth appears, parents can begin brushing their child’s teeth using a small, soft brush with a tiny bit of toothpaste.
Then, as their primary teeth continue to come in, brushing twice daily should become a regular habit. The first dental visit should happen by the time a child is a year old (and then every six months after that) Flossing can be added to the daily routine once the teeth begin to touch.
It is important to point out that primary teeth lack the dense mineralization of permanent teeth and are more vulnerable to tooth decay, making oral care even more important for toddlers and young children. It may seem silly because their primary teeth will eventually fall out but remember: Healthy primary teeth pave the way for healthy permanent teeth.
Once kids are able to hold a toothbrush they can start brushing on their own. Encourage them to brush for a full two minutes and offer to help them get to the hard-to-reach places if they have trouble. Make brushing and flossing something you and your kids do together each day and they’ll be more likely to carry those habits into adulthood.
The fact of the matter is that many children fight their parents when it comes to tooth brushing. Enter Dr Ginger’s Coconut Oil Toothpaste! Because our toothpaste has such a delicious taste with no “sting” we constantly hear that this is a game-changer for brushing time! In fact, we are hearing more and more that children are actually ASKING TO BRUSH!! Imagine that.
Because all of our products are Fluoride Free, you don’t have to worry about accidental swallowing of a toxic substance. Although of course, we don’t recommend that you let them eat the toothpaste (!) there are no harmful side effects if they should ingest a bit of it along the way.
Here’s the amazing and little-known fact: Xylitol is actually a better cavity fighter than Fluoride! How can this be? You might ask. While Fluoride makes the tooth harder on the surface, Xylitol acts to make the surface of the teeth slippery so the bacteria have a hard time adhering – AND when the bacteria eat it, they die! This is a pretty powerful one-two punch.
Here’s a little-known fact: Finland has been using Xylitol in their schools for many years. They’ve NEVER fluoridated their water supply – but three out of four children have never had tooth decay by the time they get out of high school! Here’s a link if you want to read more.
Tooth decay is still the most common chronic disease among children in the United States. Although highly preventable with regular oral care and good nutrition, 42% of children ages 2 to 11 have had dental caries in their primary teeth. This can contribute to pain and infection as well as affect their overall health.
Getting your kids started on a great routine of twice-daily brushing and flossing is the first step toward promoting healthier teeth and gums.
Dr. Ginger’s Coconut Oil Oral Care Products are not only natural and fluoride-free but are delicious and fun to use, creating an experience the whole family will enjoy!
Kids will love the subtly sweet coconut-mint flavor, and parents can rest assured we never use any harmful chemicals, artificial sweeteners, or coloring agents in our products.
Visit our online shop today to purchase our coconut-mint toothpaste, dental floss, and more!
