Proper Oral Care Habits During Elementary School Years

Hello. This is Lucid Dental Clinic.

Today, we would like to talk about one of the topics parents are most curious about:

proper oral care habits during the elementary school years.

Dental health is not only important in childhood;

depending on how it is managed during that period,

a person's lifelong dental health and longevity can change.

In particular, the elementary school years are an important transition

when baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth,

so establishing proper habits is especially important.

Why are the elementary school years special?

Around the time children enter elementary school,

major changes take place inside their mouths. Usually around age 6,

the first permanent molar, also called the 6-year molar, begins to erupt,

and at the same time, baby teeth start falling out one by one from the front,

while permanent teeth grow in.

During this period, when baby teeth and permanent teeth coexist,

it is called the mixed dentition stage. Tooth alignment is often uneven,

and care tends to be neglected.

It is also the time when children start brushing on their own,

but because their hand movements are still immature and their understanding

of dental care is limited, the spaces between teeth and the deeper areas of the molars

are often not cleaned well.

If proper habits are not established at this time,

it can lead to cavities, gum problems, and malocclusion that may require orthodontic treatment.

Building proper brushing habits

1. Brush three times a day for at least 3 minutes

Even elementary school children should brush their teeth three times a day: morning, afternoon, and evening.

It is important to teach them not just to put the toothbrush in and out of the mouth,

but to brush carefully for at least 3 minutes.

2. Proper brushing method

 Choose a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles so it can reach every corner of the teeth.

 Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the boundary between the gums and teeth, and teach them to move it in small circles.

 For the back side of the front teeth, it is effective to hold the toothbrush vertically and move it up and down.

3. Parental guidance is necessary

It is good for children to brush on their own because it helps independence,

but parental checking is essential until the lower elementary grades.

After brushing, look in the mirror together and check whether food debris remains between the teeth.

This helps proper habits take root.

Proper eating habits are also oral health habits

1. Reduce sugary foods and carbonated drinks

Candy, chocolate, and carbonated drinks are children’s favorites,

but they are the biggest enemies of dental health. Sugar reacts with bacteria in the mouth to produce acid,

and that acid erodes the tooth surface and causes cavities. Sweet foods should be limited to special occasions only,

and after eating them, children should be sure to brush their teeth.

2. Balanced meals

The habit of chewing firm vegetables or fruit strengthens teeth and gums.

On the other hand, eating only very soft or processed foods can also affect jaw development.

During the elementary school years, jawbone growth is active, so a diet that helps build chewing strength is needed.

Regular dental checkups

It is difficult for parents to check their child’s teeth carefully every time.

Therefore, regular dental checkups are essential.

In general, a checkup once every 6 months is recommended,

and through these visits, it is possible to check for cavities,

tooth alignment that may require orthodontic treatment, and the state of jawbone growth.

In addition, dental clinics can provide preventive care such as fluoride application or sealants (filling in tooth grooves).

This is care for prevention, not treatment, and is very helpful in preventing cavities in advance.

Oral health education with parents

Simply telling a child, 'Brush your teeth,' is not enough to make the habit stick.

The best education is for parents to demonstrate it directly and spend time brushing together.

Through this, children learn that oral care is a natural daily habit.

Also, try involving your child in choosing a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss.

When they care for their teeth with tools they chose themselves,

they are much more interested and can continue practicing consistently.

The elementary school years are the golden time for building the foundation of dental health.

It is not enough to simply brush well;

proper brushing habits, flossing, eating habits, and regular checkups must all come together.

If parental interest and guidance, along with consistent practice, are combined,

a child’s teeth can remain healthy for life.

Please remember that small habits add up to make a big difference.

Lucid Dental Clinic 3rd–4th Floors, Coway Building, 606 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

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