Kids and teens put their teeth through a lot — sports, braces, sugary snacks, and the occasional forgotten toothbrush. The good news: a few consistent habits go a long way. Whether you’ve got a toddler who’s still learning to spit or a teenager in braces, these nine practical tips work at every age to keep young smiles healthy.
1. Brush twice a day, for two full minutes
It sounds basic because it is — and because so many kids rush through it. Two minutes, twice a day, with fluoride toothpaste. For younger kids, use a timer or a favorite song to make sure they’re actually brushing long enough. Parents should help or supervise until around age 7 or 8.
2. Don’t skip the floss
Brushing cleans about two-thirds of each tooth’s surface. Floss handles the rest. Kids can start flossing as soon as two teeth touch, and floss picks are a great training tool for little hands that struggle with string floss. Teens with braces need floss threaders or a water flosser to clean around brackets and wires.
3. Keep regular dental checkups
Every six months, like clockwork. Regular children’s dental exams catch small problems — early cavities, crowding, bite issues — while they’re easy to fix. They’re also how kids learn that the dentist is a normal, non-scary part of life. If your child plays sports or has braces, mention it at the visit so the dentist can check for extra wear.
4. Watch the sugar, especially in drinks
Soda, sports drinks, juice boxes, and sweetened iced teas bathe teeth in sugar and acid. Water and milk are the best everyday drinks. If your teen lives on energy drinks, that’s a conversation worth having — they’re among the worst offenders for enamel erosion.
5. Get a mouthguard for sports
A knocked-out or fractured tooth is one of the most common sports injuries in kids. A custom or even a store-bought mouthguard dramatically reduces the risk during football, basketball, soccer, skateboarding — anything with speed or contact. It’s a small investment against a big dental bill.
6. Don’t use teeth as tools
Opening packages, biting nails, chewing ice, crunching hard candy — teens are creative about misusing their teeth. Each of these can chip or crack a tooth. Keep scissors handy and ice in the drink, and the message tends to stick better when it comes with the “why.”
7. Consider an orthodontic evaluation by age 7
The orthodontic association recommends a first check by age seven — not because most seven-year-olds need braces, but because early evaluation can spot jaw growth issues while they’re easiest to guide. Orthodontic treatment in Pico Rivera ranges from early interceptive care to teen braces and clear aligners, and catching things early often means simpler treatment later.
8. Tackle thumb-sucking and pacifiers by age 4
These habits are perfectly fine for babies, but if they continue past age four, they can push front teeth outward and affect jaw development. Most kids drop the habit on their own; for those who don’t, positive reinforcement works better than punishment. If the habit is stubborn, your dentist can suggest strategies.
9. Model the habits yourself
Kids notice what you do more than what you say. Brush and floss where they can see you, keep your own checkups, and talk about the dentist matter-of-factly. When oral care is just part of family life — not a battle — kids carry those habits into adulthood. And when checkup day comes, keep your own tone upbeat — kids take their cues from you.
Want a partner in keeping your kids’ smiles healthy? Schedule a children’s dental exam at our Pico Rivera office — new patients can take advantage of our $99 special, and se habla español.
