Whether we like it or not, teeth brushing is important. Many adults have trouble keeping up a consistent oral care routine, so it’s no wonder that our children don’t want to do it either. According to an oral surgeon in Mission Viejo Ca, brushing routines should be established early on so that we develop long-lasting, healthy habits. There are many ways to encourage your kids to brush. Turning this daily chore into a game, creating a story around it, or turning it into a competition can make a huge difference in motivating your children to take care of their teeth.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says that tooth decay is the most common disease in children 6-19. When parents fail to instill good oral hygiene in their children, they can experience anything from dental pain to infections, speech delays, and diabetes. Our oral health affects our bodily health in general and, in young growing people, this is especially significant. People who do not take care of their teeth early on are more likely to require dentures, dental implants, or other dental procedures from Orange County clinics to restore their smile.
So, the question remains, how do you make brushing fun for your kids? If you visit a dentist in Laguna Niguel, you may hear countless stories about parents who were successful with one method or another. However, the truth is that it all depends on the individual child. Parents may need to try a few different tactics to inspire their kids, and that’s okay. The important thing is that you’re trying and that your child is starting to understand that brushing their teeth is a necessary part of daily life.
Here are some ways that you can approach teeth brushing with your children:
Introduce brushing early on.
Most oral care professionals recommend starting dental care before the first tooth even grows in. This means wiping your infant’s gums at night with a damp, soft cloth. You can switch to toothbrushes by the time their teeth grow in and introducing flossing around 2 or 3 years old.
Show them how it’s done.
Since you’re trying to teach your children good habits, you have to set an example. Make sure that you are practicing consistent oral hygiene in front of your kids and demonstrating the appropriate steps.
Get the right tools.
When you buy your children’s toothbrush, toothpaste, and flossing tool, make sure that you are getting age-appropriate products. There are specially made tools that have softer edges and help kids reach back for a more thorough cleaning. You can also allow your child to pick the flavor of their toothpaste or the toothbrush color so that they feel more individually attached to the habit.
Make a game out of it.
Some parents find it useful to turn teeth brushing into an imaginative effort. You can tell your kids that they’re brushing away the sugar bugs or set a timer that they have to follow. Once bedtime becomes an enjoyable routine, your kids won’t resist brushing.
Make sure that you take your child in for their first dental check-up by their first birthday. According to an oral surgeon in Mission Viejo Ca, it is important to introduce dentist offices and oral care professionals to your children early on so that they are not afraid. Once they learn that dental check-ups are a normal and necessary part of life, they will be more equipped to face the world with a beautiful, healthy smile.
