It’s that time of the year again… the observance of Children’s Dental Health Month. At TrueCare Dentistry, we’re joining dentists and many other professionals throughout the US in promoting the benefits of good oral health for young people.
It can be hard for kids to see how important taking care of their teeth is. When they look inside their mouths, they can’t see how their teeth are connected to their hearts so it’s really up to the adults in their lives. We need to help them understand that keeping their teeth healthy is one of the most important things they can do. So how do we do that?
Well, for starters, we’ve all heard that to take care of our teeth, we’ve got to:
- Brush every day.
- Floss regularly.
- Keep those regularly scheduled visits to the dentist.
One of the easiest places to start is helping them understand that brushing every day is number one on that list for a reason — it’s essential to good dental health.
Let’s take the time to explore how to get kids to start brushing their teeth as soon as they’re old enough and not to stop until, well… NEVER!
Here are five simple ways to help kids build healthy habits for regular brushing.
Create a routine.
Ideally, kids will learn to brush after every meal, but sometimes school and other activities get in the way. So why not create a routine that works around school?
Adding “Brush teeth” to the morning to-do list is easy enough. It can happen right after children get up or right after breakfast. Either way, it’s a small something that can easily fit into a morning routine.
It should also be part of the get pajamas on, get ready for our story, make one last bathroom run right before bed routine.
Try putting a morning and evening checklist on the bathroom mirror if your children need help remembering to add “brush teeth” to their to-dos.
Let them pick out their toothbrush and toothpaste.
For kids to enjoy the routine of brushing their teeth, there’s no reason they can’t pick out a toothbrush they love. A favorite cartoon character. A color that matches their eyes. Whatever works to make them excited about getting that brush out and using it at least twice a day!
Need help knowing what to look for in a kid’s toothbrush? Dental Fun Zone has some ideas — from a massaging brush to ones that grow with your kids to all the best in electric brushes. And they confirm that a fun design can definitely make brushing more fun for your little ones!
Toothpaste can also be fun. Your kids may enjoy special flavors or pastes that sparkle. What’s most important is them learning to take care of their teeth by picking out a toothpaste they love.
Brush together… as a family!
Ever thought of bringing your toothbrush and paste in the bathroom and brushing your teeth right alongside your children? It may get a little crowded if you’ve got a small bathroom, of course, but that could also make it even more fun!
Make brushing your teeth fun for your kids.
Whenever you can, add a little fun in the mix!
- Use stickers for your littlest ones to reward them for a job well done and make them feel proud.
- Play your daughter’s favorite music for two minutes, so she’ll remember how long to keep brushing. The time will go by so fast when she’s singing along to her favorite tunes. Just be sure she’s not so excited about singing that she forgets to brush!
- Use videos and other fun resources to get your kids excited about taking care of their teeth. Try the special coloring pages the American Dental Association created for Children’s Dental Health Month. Or Dental Buddy, a downloadable resource from the Oral Health Foundation.
Treat going to the dentist as a prize awarded to your kids for taking such good care of their teeth.
Statistic Stats says over 75% of adults are afraid of going to the dentist, and some are afraid for good reason. One really bad dental experience is enough to strike fear in hearts.
But let’s train the next generation to look forward to the dentist instead. When your kids have brushed their teeth faithfully, let them know the trip to the dentist will prove what a great job they’ve been doing. And let’s work together to help them keep their teeth healthy as long as they live.
When you and your kids are ready to reward yourselves for taking good care of your teeth, give TrueCare Dentistry a call and set up an appointment. We’ll celebrate with you for a job well done!
Exceptional Is Not Uncommon
At TrueCare Dentistry, you will experience exceptional dental care that is focused on maximum patient comfort. We offer the best chair-side manner from check-in to check-out. Contact us for an appointment or to learn more: 919.859.1330