Oral Hygiene Basics Before Your Kids Go to Sleep

Oral hygiene basics are crucial for promoting strong oral health in your child. While responsibly caring for your child's teeth requires attention throughout the day, it is equally important to establish a bedtime routine that focuses on maintaining oral hygiene. Following these tips can help you keep your child's teeth and gums healthy over time.

How to help your child take care of their teeth before bed

Regularly practicing strong oral hygiene habits before bed can make a world of difference in the health of a child's mouth, both in the short and long term. Brushing the teeth before bed is essential because the mouth tends to dry out while sleeping, making it easier for bacteria to multiply and form plaque. When the child brushes their teeth before sleeping, they can help control this process.

Here are some things parents can do every night to help their children develop routines and ensure they stay consistent.

Brush and floss before going to sleep

Brushing and flossing are two of the earliest aspects of oral hygiene basics that children learn and for a good reason. Consistently brushing and flossing before bed is one of the most effective ways to regularly practice good oral hygiene. Further, this practice ensures that no food is left in the child’s mouth before going to sleep. This is particularly true of flossing, which lets them reach difficult-to-find pieces of food that may be stuck between teeth, particularly in the back of the mouth.

Using fluoride toothpaste to brush the teeth for at least two minutes is a good rule of thumb. In addition, using an electric toothbrush can be a bonus in effectively managing oral health.

Use a mouth rinse before bed

For an added boost to oral health, consider using a kid-friendly mouthwash or rinse before bed. A rinse will help remove bacteria from their mouth and effectively help prevent cavities. It can also help remove food from hard-to-reach parts of their mouth, as well as work to provide fluoride treatment to those same difficult-to-reach areas.

Consider a kids’ mouthguard

A mouthguard can be an extremely effective sleep aid promoting strong oral health. Mouthguards, known as nightguards, protect against grinding and clenching teeth during sleep. Patients who grind their teeth during sleep can eventually develop chipped, sensitive teeth and a sore jaw with limited mobility. Generally, mouthguards are custom-made by a dentist and can be extremely valuable in ensuring that the child's teeth and jaw are not damaged overnight.

Avoid late-night snacks

Encourage children to avoid late-night snacks, especially after brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Keeping their mouth clean before bed can help prevent bacteria from multiplying overnight. It can also prevent them from having to repeat their oral health routine.