Trying to teach your kids about oral hygiene can be tricky, but with a little help from your local children's dentist, you can make the process much easier and have them wanting to keep their teeth healthy on their own. It all starts with knowing how to teach them about oral hygiene and how to get them interested in protecting their teeth and gums.
To help, we have put together these tips from an actual kids' dentist so that you can start as early as possible developing healthy habits that will stay with them for a lifetime.
For most kids, going to the dentist is either scary or annoying. This is easy to understand but bad for developing good oral hygiene habits. Instead of making going to the dentist seem like a chore or something that will hurt them, it is important to impress upon your kids as early as possible that going to the dentist is good for them and that not having cavities and other issues is something to be proud of.
A good children's dentist will go out of their way to make visiting their clinic fun and safe for kids, which makes it easier for you to show your kids that going to the dentist is not a bad thing.
Kids are more receptive to things that hold their attention and are fun. So if you are trying to teach them something that is beneficial to them, it helps to make it interesting. Use fun colors and characters they recognize, and create activities that explain why brushing and flossing are so important. You can even make a game out of brushing and flossing every day.
If you need help, your dentist is likely to be more than willing to help with educational materials for your kids to teach them about oral health and why clean teeth are happy teeth, so do not be afraid to ask about ways to teach your kids about oral hygiene.
Children, just like adults, are much more likely to continue doing any activity on a regular basis once it becomes part of a routine. If you develop a daily routine and can manage to get your kids to enjoy it, pretty soon, they will be on autopilot when it comes to brushing, flossing, and rinsing. This way, you will not have to worry about making sure they brush before bed or that they floss after eating because they will become used to doing it themselves.
As always, if you expect your kids to do something, especially something good for them, you should also lead by example. When they see you brushing and flossing, the kids are more likely to follow along, especially at a young age.
These tips are sure to help your kids develop good oral health habits, but if you want more ideas about how to teach your kids to take care of their mouths, be sure to talk with your children's dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://pediatric-dental-arts.com or call Pediatric Dental Arts at (617) 924-1911 for an appointment in our Watertown office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentist in Watertown, MA.
Cavity treatment for kids is a chief concern among parents, and for a good reason. Cavities are common in children of all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over half of the kids ages 6 to 8 have had at least one cavity in a primary tooth. The good news is…
A pediatric dentist can help prevent tooth decay. Early dental checkups will enable the dentist to provide treatments that can make this possible. Your dentist can guide you and your child on how to keep teeth and gums healthy. Here are some effective tips on how to prevent childhood tooth decay straight from a pediatric…
Many parents neglect early cavity treatment for kids, as they may feel that it is not essential because the child’s teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth, anyway. However, diagnosing and treating cavities in kids as early as possible is incredibly important. In this review, we discuss the reasons that early…
Making sure your child undergoes a dental checkup for kids regularly is important for ensuring their continued oral health and avoiding the onset or exacerbation of dental problems. These visits allow the dentist to monitor a child's oral health, teach good oral hygiene practices, and address any problems promptly.Parents may have questions regarding their children's…
Cavities are common in children of all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control…
Curious about the importance of dental checkups for children? Read on to learn more. As…
An emergency pediatric dentist is a valuable resource for your child, similar to a hospital's…
A pediatric dentist can help prevent tooth decay. Early dental checkups will enable the dentist…
Learning more about what happens during a baby root canal can be helpful for parents…
Dental sealants for kids are an important part of a child's oral health care routine.
