Did you know a common childhood disease is tooth decay? If you want to learn how to encourage excellent dental hygiene, we can help.
In this guide, we’ll go over what you can do to show your kids the importance of oral health. Dental care will impact their health.
Are you looking for insight on this challenging but essential topic? Keep reading.
1. Model the Right Habits
Kids tend to learn from observing those around them. As a parent, make sure you model excellent oral hygiene habits.
You should make sure you brush your teeth morning and night and floss daily. Make sure you avoid eating or drinking acidic drinks or foods.
2. Schedule Annual Dentist Appointments
Schedule regular dental appointments for your children. Spend time researching different dentists so you can find a kid-friendly dental clinic. You can even bring children under two to see a dentist.
You want your children to have a positive experience. This way, they won’t have a negative perspective of the dentist’s office. You don’t want your kids to get frightened by the experience and dislike the dental clinic.
Read reviews online to find the proper dentist. You can ask your friends and family if they know an excellent pediatric dentist.
Make sure you schedule an annual appointment. The dentist can help prevent dental problems or suggest different tips.
Your child will get a chance to get educated on the importance of dental hygiene from someone else than you.
If you find a clinic that provides family services, you can book with a kids dentist.
3. Cut Out the Junk Food
What your child eats on a regular basis can impact their oral health. You want your kids to consume a healthy and varied diet.
Limit their intake of sugary beverages and acidic foods. Too much sugar will cause cavities. Oranges, lemons, and pop can end up wrecking their teeth.
Encourage your child to drink water. Water will help flush out any sugar sticking to your kid’s teeth.
If you have a sticky treat or snack, ask your child to brush their teeth or drink some water.
4. Establish Morning and Night Routines
Children tend to thrive when they have a schedule to follow. You should try and create a fun morning and evening routine.
You could put up a little post-it note or calendar with notes outlining the steps to follow in the morning.
At night, make a similar schedule. Add things like brush your hair, wash your face, and brush your teeth. You could put little stickers next to these activities as a reward system.
Soon, your kids will remember these things because they get used to doing them each night.
5. Learn About Oral Health
If possible, you could go to the library or the bookstore and pick out some books on the topic of oral health. Introduce your kids to health and nutrition and the importance of taking care of their teeth.
By educating your kids, they can understand the importance of dental care.
6. Let Your Kids Pick Out a Toothbrush
Kids love electric toothbrushes. At the same time, others like to buy one with their favorite superhero. Ask your child to pick out their preferred toothpaste and toothbrush.
Figure out ways to make oral health more fun.
7. Start Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth
Excellent dental hygiene can begin with your infant. After your baby finishes eating, you could wipe their gums with a soft and moist washcloth.
You aren’t teaching your child about hygiene, but you are getting into a routine.
After your baby starts to eat solid food and begins to teethe, use a finger brush. The brush is rubber with soft bristles.
You can put it on your index finger and rub your finger along your baby’s gum line. Do this around their emerging teeth.
Brush your baby’s teeth after their first tooth arrives. Use a finger brush or a soft infant toothbrush. Use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste and try brushing twice daily.
8. Baby’s First Dental Appointment
Schedule your child’s first dentist appointment at least by their first birthday.
You can start to build a relationship with your child’s dentist. Also, your child will begin to get used to the sounds and sights of the dental clinic.
Your dentist can make sure everything’s developing well and that your baby’s gums and teeth are healthy.
9. Don’t Pick the Wrong Toothbrush
Once you have gone to your child’s first dental appointment, look at getting the right toothbrush. Look at getting a soft-bristled and child-sized toothbrush. The kind of toothbrush will matter.
Toothbrushes with firm bristles will end up irritating your mouth. This could discourage your child from brushing their teeth.
At this point, you can use a little more toothpaste. Along with using the right toothbrush, use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride’s critical for kids. This is a natural mineral that will strengthen your child’s enamel.
It also gets incorporated into their teeth and helps their teeth resist decay. Use only a recommended amount of toothpaste. Too much fluoride will end up leading to fluorosis.
Make Dental Care a Priority
We hope this guide on children’s oral health was helpful. Consider how you can prevent tooth decay. Encourage your child to develop excellent oral hygiene habits by teaching them about dental care.
Are you looking for more helpful tips on oral health? Stick around and learn more about parenting and nutrition tips.
