Helping children have a healthy smile by making dental hygiene fun should be the role of every parent. It is essential to instill good oral hygiene habits in children from a young age. Why? The answer is simple; they will keep their teeth healthy for a lifetime!
In addition, good oral habits prevent serious issues in the future. Complications such as cavities or broken teeth become rare in children with good dental hygiene practices. Brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups are positive experiences that can help to keep children excited about good oral care. Teaching a child the following essential oral health habits will not only ensure a beautiful smile in the future but will also ensure healthy dental care habits.
Obtain Fun Supplies
Let children choose their own toothbrush, rinsing cup and even toothpaste. Currently, there are varieties of kid-friendly favourites that can excite them and enhance their will to engage in oral hygiene activities. Obtain amusing oral hygiene supplies from a dental clinic near you for your child. For instance, some children’s toothpaste comes in tasty flavours like watermelon and strawberry. Often, a 5-year-old may not run to the bathroom to use regular and minty toothpaste. However, there is a better chance that they will look forward to a good time cleaning their teeth with strawberry or watermelon toothpaste.
Brush and Floss Together
One of the best ways to make a child interested in oral care is to brush and floss together. Children are very good at mimicking what adults do. Therefore, it is better to lead by example. Brush your teeth every morning and night. Whilst doing this, you can talk about how much fun it is! When a child sees how excited you are about cleaning your teeth, they will voluntarily want to join in. You can also show your son or daughter excellent brushing techniques. After brushing, you can show them how to floss. Nonetheless, you can allow them to floss on their own if they are old enough to do it. Just give routine brushing an air of excitement! Do not forget that kids love exciting activities.
Make It Story Time
You can make cleaning more enjoyable by using tooth-brushing time to tell a story. Notably, you can get creative and make up a story that incorporates mythical characters who benefited from cleaning their teeth. Help them understand rewards were gifted to the characters in the story for keeping their teeth clean.
Schedule Regular Dental Visits
Almost every dentist around the globe recommends that children should visit a dentist’s office at least twice per year. If you live in Brandon, you can schedule a visit to a dental clinic in Brandon in the company of your child. Ideally, you should make the first visit when your child is between six months and one year old. Starting this oral health habit early will warrant visits to a dentist as part of your child’s normal schedule. You should also take your child to the dentist in case of a mouth injury. For instance, you should take your child to the dentist if they get into an accident on the playground. Even more, you can promptly seek emergency dental treatment in Brandon if they bite into something too hard. It is prudent to note that early intervention can prevent permanent damage and help keep your child free of pain.
Overall, teaching children good oral health habits can have many benefits. Feel free to visit us at Chancellor Dental for more information on how to motivate your child to practice good oral hygiene.
