Two Minutes Twice a Day

Tooth brushing Mistake No.3: “Not Brushing Often Enough or Long Enough”

If your child has the bad habit of not brushing often enough or long enough, you know that there are going to be problems down the line. In addition to flossing on a daily basis, your child should brush his or her teeth for at least two minutes every time. That means devoting at least a minute to the top and a minute to the bottom, thoroughly brushing every surface to ensure the teeth are cleaned well. It's also essential that your child knows the proper method to brush teeth. Strokes should be short, moving back and forth across every surface, using the tip to get in hard to reach places, such as behind teeth that are in the front. If your child doesn't brush long enough, bacteria can continue to breed, leading to gum disease. Accumulating debris can cause decay and excess plaque can actually lead to heart problems in the future.

Brushing Often Enough is a Must as Well

In addition to the length of time that your child brushes, it is also to brush often enough. Twice a day is the recommended amount, once in the morning and once at night. However, your child can be even more vigilant and brush after every meal time, ensuring debris is removed from the teeth. Each time plaque is removed, it ensures better oral health.

Discuss Good Oral Hygiene and More

As you help your child to take care of his or her teeth, you may have additional concerns that require an orthodontist. Visit our website and make an appointment at Beecroft Orthodontics to discuss a host of issues, including Invisalign teen cost and Invisalign teen review. Help your child to have a beautiful smile. Begin with brushing and learn about other alternatives to make those pearly whites shine.

Beecroft Orthodontics, 10472 Georgetown Dr. Fredericksburg, Virginia

Phone: 540-898-2200

Two Minutes Twice a Day

Right Bristles Make the Right Toothbrush

Tooth brushing Mistake No. 2: “Not Picking the Right Bristles”

A parent who cares about his child's oral health will encourage that they brush their teeth twice a day in addition to setting a good example by doing this themselves. In addition to investing in braces to make their smile beautiful, the next best investment a parent can make is investing in a toothbrush with the right bristles. It's easy to avoid the mistake of not picking the right bristles for the toothbrush used on a daily basis.

Types of Bristles

An orthodontic can offer valuable feedback on the best type of toothbrush bristles for your child. Most individuals prefer a soft-bristled toothbrush because it feels more comfortable in the mouth. And if a toothbrush feels comfortable and easy to use, a child will be more motivated to brush his teeth at least twice a day in order to remove any food particles sticking to his braces. Most people are surprised to discover after discussing bristles with an orthodontic specialist that firmer bristles don't do a more effective job than soft bristles at removing plaque, food particles and stains from teeth. Extra-soft bristles are recommended for individuals whose mouths are sore after a dental procedure or who have sensitive gums and teeth.

Bristle Patterns

In addition to the softness of toothbrush bristles, the shape and pattern of bristles on the toothbrush can help the brushing process be as effective as possible. Many toothbrushes today offer innovative features such as cup shape bristles designed for more detailed coverage while brushing, smaller toothbrush heads to get into crevices and corners more easily, bristles arranged in a diagonal pattern to be able to reach the gum line and sides of the teeth, and bristles that indicate when a toothbrush replacement is recommended.

Beecroft Orthodontics is committed to helping you achieve the best oral care possible. Call on us for any guidance you need regarding picking the right bristles on the toothbrushes, you and your children will be using twice a day.

Beecroft Orthodontics, 10472 Georgetown Dr. Fredericksburg, Virginia

Phone: 540-898-2200

Right Bristles Make the Right Toothbrush

Children’s Orthodontic Check-up Guide

How often should Children get a Check-up to see if they Need Braces?

The American Board of Orthodontics and the American Association of Orthodontics recommend a child is seen around 7 years old to determine if he needs braces.

Not that most children have problems or issues at that age--I would say over 90 percent don’t, but, occasionally, something will pop up, so it’s a good idea to be seen.

I often then hear, “Once that happens, and my child doesn’t need intervention, how often should we come back?” Usually the office will provide direction, and there’s a range depending on the child’s situation. Most offices, if there’s nothing wrong would still like to see a child back about once a year, maybe nine to 12 months. Why? Even though everything looks great as of now, things may pop up. A tooth may decide not to come in the way it should or start to overlap another tooth inside the bone. There may be certain procedures that can prevent future problems. There may be a growth spurt in either the upper or lower jaw that causes an unfavorable situation that can be corrected more easily when the child is younger. So, that’s the reason for the periodic checks. Usually they don’t have to be conducted any more often than nine to 12 months, as long as everything is looking good and normal.

Now, depending on your child’s age, the orthodontist may suggest he’s seen more frequently. If the child’s closer to getting ready for treatment (10, 11, 12 years old), and waiting for a few baby teeth to fall out, the orthodontist may recommend he comes in every six to eight months. If there’s a borderline problem that’s being observed closely, he may be asked to come in every six months or so. Usually the visits will be quick and short, but productive. There’s usually a reason for being seen at such short interval.

I saw a 9-year-old boy, who was referred to us by his dentist. His dentist was concerned about his back six-year molar coming in, almost overlapping, and coming into one of his baby teeth. This was creating a hole in his baby teeth because the molar wasn’t coming in the right position, but a closer than where it needed to be. So, we saw him and didn’t have to put any appliances in his mouth. We put in a spacer apparatus, which almost looks like a rubber band. It’s wedged in between the teeth and creates space, but feels like there’s a piece of food like steak in between your teeth. Normally orthodontists use it prior to the initial banding appointment, getting the braces on. It’s used to make space for fitting bands on the back teeth. It can often be used to redirect teeth when they’re coming in at an unfavorable angle. We used this for the patient and chose to see him more often--every six weeks to ensure the tooth was coming in okay. We did that for three or four visits, and saw him regularly for six months. We just observed the tooth and ensured the situation didn’t get worse. We were able to redirect the permanent tooth and save the baby tooth. The results? After six months, the tooth was in a great position, and now he’s seen once a year until he’s ready for the full treatment. So, this is a situation where you’re seen more frequently. But in most cases, children are seen anywhere from nine to 12 months.

For further information or to schedule an appointment for your child, feel free to contact Beecroft Orthodontics.

Beecroft Orthodontics, 10472 Georgetown Dr Fredericksburg ,

Virginia Phone: 540-898-2200

Children’s Orthodontic Check-up Guide