The Rule of 2's for Oral Health
You’ve been taking care of your own teeth practically your whole life. As a parent, that responsibility extends to your children to one extent or another. Taking good care of your teeth can mean the difference between having healthy teeth and needing to repair extensive oral decay. If you’re not sure how to do this, start by using the rule of 2’s for oral health.
Visit the Dentist 2 Times per Year
Your child’s dentist can be your biggest ally when it comes to keeping their teeth healthy. That only works if you visit them though. Take your child to visit Dr. Macarro twice a year, every six months. He’ll check your child’s teeth for any signs of tooth decay or gum disease and provide treatment as necessary. Dentists have the tools and training necessary to properly clean the teeth, spot signs of trouble, and address them.
Brush 2 Times per Day
You know it’s important for teeth to be brushed every day. You probably even know that they should be brushed 2 times a day. It’s pretty typical to brush after breakfast, before leaving the house for the day, and again after dinner before going to bed. Do you know why? Plaque is easy to brush away when it’s soft. It can take as little as 24 hours for it to harden to the point that brushing won’t be enough to get rid of it. By brushing twice a day, you ensure that plaque gets removed before it hardens to that point. Keep in mind that younger children don’t usually have the patience or dexterity to thoroughly brush their teeth themselves. That’s why it’s important for you to help them for the first several years of life.
Brush for 2 Minutes
This is the tricky part: brushing for 2 whole minutes. Two minutes can feel pretty long when you’re brushing your teeth, especially when you’re young. Still, it’s the best way to make sure the teeth are thoroughly brushed. Try dividing the mouth into four quadrants and brush each for 30 seconds. That can make it easier to thoroughly clean all the teeth and help the time go by faster.
The rule of 2’s for oral health can make it easier to remember how to take good care of both your teeth and the teeth of any children you have. Remember to visit the dentist 2 times per year, brush teeth 2 times per day, and brush for 2 minutes each time. That will get you and your whole family off to a good start when it comes to protecting the health of your teeth.
Are you ready to schedule your first pediatric dental visit? Click here to schedule yours with Maccaro Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry today!
