The Truth About Your Child's Bedtime Routine

It is so important to gave good habits and routines.   Actually, forming  both of them begins at birth.  Studies reveal that only 47% of all people in America  brush their teeth at bedtime.   This is the most important time to brush your teeth.   Tooth decay is a DISEASE CAUSED BY BACTERIA.  Parents transfer their bacteria to their children.   I interview parents daily inmy office, and many parents do not begin to brush their child's until one year of age.  This is a big mistake,  because getting Tooth decay is a process that occurs over time (months and years).  I am seeing more and more toddlers 3 years of age and younger who already have tooth decay.   

Here are my recommendations for a bedtime routine. 

1.  Bathe your child in an infant tub or bath tube depending upon their age 
2.  Put on their pajamas 
3.  Let them breastfeed or take their bedtime bottle of milk or formula
4.  Hold or cuddle them for bonding 
5.   If they have no teeth, rub or massage their gums with your finger ot a soft wash cloth 
6. If they have teeth, use a finger toothbrush or regular child toothbrush and brush their teeth with Dr Branams Xylitol toothpaste or tooth gel.   
7.  Leave the  toothpaste in the mouth 
8.  Read a book to the child or just rock and comfort them and put them in bed.

3 habits you should NOT do.
1.  Breastfeed or bottle feed them to sleep and put them in bed without brushing the teeth 
2.  Give the baby or toddler a baby bottle or Sippy cup of milk,  formula,  or juice in the middle of the night to get them to go back to sleep 
3.  Do not breastfeed throughout the night at will

Giving these 3 habits to your children will increase the risk of early tooth decay by 300%.  

Lastly,  all parents should brush their own teeth at bedtime using Dr Branams Xylitol toothpaste and leave it in your mouth.  DON'T  RINSE OR SPIT IT OUT.  This will lower your tooth decay causing bacteria by 72 %.  You will improve your oral health and decrease the transfer of bacteria to your children.   

Remember that tooth decay is a DISEASE that affects the entire family and is INTERGENERATIONAL.  These benefits will last a lifetime.  I hope that this truthful information is helpful.

Yours for better oral health for your entire family 
Dr. Steve Branam