InTouch with Southern Kentucky February 2020 | Page 34

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From about three-years older and
beyond, you likely will have to use
both innovating and motivating
methods to encourage brushing.
When your child first begins, use a
small toothbrush and a pea-sized
amount of toothpaste, supervising
and helping with the hard-to-reach
areas.
“Try to make it fun and not just a
chore,” Prather says. “Let them pick
out their favorite toothbrush, or
whatever helps to make them want
to brush their teeth.”
Prather regularly gets asked when
is the right time to start using fluo-
ride toothpaste with children. Small
children are prone often to swallow-
ing large amounts of toothpaste.
“If your child is able to start
spitting while brushing, they can
use fluoride toothpaste,” she says.
“Until then, I just usually recom-
mend using either water or training
toothpaste.”
Around the age of six, children are
able to brush their teeth using prop-
er techniques. In this phase, you
should continue overseeing their
brushing efforts until about age 12.
You can have them to start flossing
once their teeth start touching one
another.
Since Prather is a pediatric den-
tist, she speaks at local schools
frequently about oral health tips.
Given that children love candy, she
tries not to lose their interest by
suggesting they never eat it.
“If they are going to eat candy, I
tell them to make good choices with
it,” she says. “Sticky and hard candy
34 • I n T ouch with S outhern K entucky 
is the bad one that can stay on their
teeth for hours, and the good candy
is the one that washes off the teeth
easier like chocolate.”
Without a doubt, good oral health
practices need continuing past
childhood. For adolescents tending
to drink a lot of sugary drinks or
sodas, Prather offers practical sug-
gestions for them also.
“If you are going to drink sodas,
try drinking diet ones because they
have fewer sugars,” she says. “I
also recommend drinking through a
straw because it will help the sugars
bypass the teeth more.”
Additionally, Prather points out
some teens are hesitant to brush
regularly because of bleeding gums.
However, this reluctance is likely
to set up more problems down the
road.
“Their bleeding is an indication
of lack of brushing and areas you
need to pay attention to,” she says.
“Usually, once you start brushing
the right way, or in the right areas,
the bleeding will stop in about three
to five days.”
These mentioned techniques
are steps you can take with your
child or grandchild helping them
maintain a healthy mouth with
strong teeth and gums. Additionally,
schedule them regularly for dental
checkups and cleanings.
“I really try to approach and com-
fort the kids I see just like I do with
my three girls at home,” Prather
says. “I am both a pediatric dentist
and a mother.”
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F ebruary 2020