kids dentist | palos heights il

Good Brushing Habits Start Young

March 25, 2019
|
Posted By: Dr. Richard Facko
baby and toddler holding toothbrushes | Infant Oral Health in Palos Heights IL | Pediatric Dentistry

Infant Oral Health in Palos Heights, IL

Keeping your child’s teeth safe and healthy starts before they even grow in.

Parents are advised to clean their baby’s gums using a soft damp cloth twice a day. Plaque can still form, and this ensures that their baby teeth grow in safely. Parents are also advised to limit sugar or juice drinks. Proper oral hygiene for your child involves a lot of gentle techniques like these. It’s good to incorporate a soft-bristled baby toothbrush past the age of two, as well as specially formulated toothpaste for toddlers. 

At our Palos Heights, IL dental office, we firmly believe that engaging in regular healthy dental cleanings will set good habits for your child. Even diligent little brushers can still miss some spots, and routine oral cleanings will help remove plaque and look out for food deposits. 

Make Brushing Fun!

Establishing proper teeth cleaning habit starts early, so kids understand how to do their part in maintaining oral health. Reinforcing brushing and flossing is an important and fun routine for the family. 

Here are some tips for parents to get implement in daily brushing routines:

  • Get involved. Children who brush unsupervised may not realize they are not doing the job correctly. 
  • Set a timer. Most children know they need to brush twice a day, but they may only do it for a few seconds and consider it complete. Setting a timer for 2 minutes ensures that they do the full time. Battery-operated toothbrushes have a built-in timer that might also work.
  • Floss once a day. This will get them in the habit of enjoying clean teeth.
  • Brush on all sides. Watch them brush on the top, bottom, back, and front. Many children only brush the front part because they don’t think about the areas they can’t see.

Teaching your children about proper oral hygiene creates a bond between parents and their child. Brushing along with your child can make the routine fun and family oriented!

Contact Us

Our team at Palos Pediatric Dentistry has many techniques on helping your child become successful and stay healthy. To learn more about keeping your child's smile healthy, contact our office to schedule an appointment with our team. 
 
 

 

Return to Blog Homepage
Related Blog Posts
June 9, 2026
Getting Your Kids to Actually Brush Their Teeth

As a dad of four and a pediatric dentist, I can tell you that getting kids to brush their teeth consistently is one of the most universal challenges parents face. I hear about it every day in my office, and I deal with it in my own house. Here's everything I know about making it work.

Why Kids Resist in the First Place

Before jumping to solutions, it helps to understand why kids push back, because the reason shapes the approach.

  • The long-term consequence problem. Young children aren't wired to be motivated ...
Read More
May 26, 2026
The "Healthy" Snacks That Are Actually Causing Cavities

Nobody needs to be told that candy is bad for their kids' teeth. But there's a whole category of foods that parents assume are healthy — smart choices, good alternatives to junk food — that are quietly causing just as many cavities. Some of them are probably in your pantry right now.

Why These Foods Are Problematic

Before we get into the list, it helps to understand what makes a food dangerous for teeth. Three factors matter most:

  • Sugar and starch — both feed the cavity-causing bacteria in your child's mouth.
  • Stickiness — ...
Read More
May 10, 2026
The Sugar Talk Your Dentist Never Had with You

Most of us have heard that sugar is bad for our teeth since we were kids. But very few people have actually heard why, or which habits are quietly doing more damage than others. Some of them might surprise you.

How Cavities Actually Form

Cavities aren't caused directly by sugar. They're caused by bacteria, specifically a group called Streptococcus mutans, that live in everyone's mouth. We all have them. They're part of the ecosystem of microorganisms that live in our gut, which starts at our mouth.

Here's the chain reaction: those bacteria ...

Read More
Return to Blog Homepage