Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County: What Parents Should Know About Mouthwash For Kids

Instilling proper dental hygiene is crucial to the overall well-being of your children, but in addition to brushing and helping them floss, are they also ready for mouthwash? Mouthwash for children typically feature kid-friendly flavors and graphics that make taking care of the teeth and gums a bit more fun. But there are a few things to keep in mind when adding this as part of your child’s daily oral regime.

Typically, mouthwash isn't recommended for kids under the age of six. There are two reasons for this. Since mouthwash contains fluoride, in combination with their fluoride toothpaste, too much fluoride can cause fluorosis in children. Fluorosis can occur only when a child's teeth are still forming, and the condition causes changes to the color and texture of the teeth. It is also important that your child doesn’t swallow mouthwash. It should be spit out, just like toothpaste, but can be tricky for young kids to get used to swishing the liquid rather than swallowing it like a beverage.

Mouthwash is meant to boost the effects of flossing and brushing once and twice a day, respectively. It can help give kids fresher breath, if that's a concern for them. If your child wears braces, mouthwash can loosen bits of food that often get stuck in the brackets, ensuring a more thorough cleaning job until the braces come off. Once your child is ready for mouthwash, they can enjoy extra cleaning benefits that come with it.

When your child first starts using a mouthwash, it's a good idea to provide some supervision to make sure he or she doesn't accidentally swallow it. Supervising your child in the early stages of using a mouthwash will also let you make sure that he or she is brushing and flossing before using the rinse.

While mouthwash isn't a must-use for every child, next time you make a visit to our office, speak to your child’s dentists to see if they are ready to start swishing! Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County offers a caring and compassionate approach to pediatric dentistry, ensuring our patients are comfortable at all times. To learn more about our practice visit us here, or give us a call at 631-320-0880 to schedule an appointment today!