When you become a parent, you know your life is going to drastically change. What you might think of right away, however, are all of the little things you will have to teach your son or daughter as he or she gets older. Good oral hygiene is one of these things. Some children take to brushing and flossing quite easily, while others fight the process tooth and nail for one reason or another. Fortunately, no matter how your child has reacted to oral care in the past, there are some fun things you can do to make learning this life skill a better experience for everyone in your family!
How to Make Oral Health Fun
- Brush and floss your teeth together – Sometimes kids, especially those who are very young, are afraid of brushing and flossing their teeth because they haven’t seen their parents do these tasks themselves. The best way to teach your child is to brush and floss your teeth with him or her. Make it into a fun game that both of you can enjoy together! Additionally, kids mirror what their parents do, so the more you brush and floss at the same time, the more excited your son or daughter will be.
- Let your child pick a toothbrush – Whether you are just starting to teach your little one about oral hygiene or you need some new tactics to help a fearful child, going shopping for a fun new toothbrush is a great idea. Kids are often more excited to use things they’ve chosen themselves, so letting your son or daughter pick a toothbrush that features a favorite character or a favorite color is an excellent way to get him or her in the mood to brush!
- Give small rewards – In some cases, kids start to enjoy brushing and flossing more when they get rewarded for doing it well. Whether you have a gold star poster board you decorate as a family or your child earns small toys or other items, creating a reward system that works well for your family is a good way to encourage brushing and flossing in a child who hasn’t done well with oral hygiene to date.
- Let the library help – Local libraries are a wonderful resource for parents who are trying to teach their children about all sorts of hygiene. Check out some books about brushing and flossing for your son or daughter. Read them together and teach him or her that oral hygiene is not something to fear, but rather something that will keep him or her healthy for many years.
- Make dental visits a treat – Experts recommend that children should visit the dentist twice per year. Make these appointments fun for your child in order to encourage him or her to engage in good oral hygiene at home. Consider going out to lunch together or picking a new toy at the store after a good report from the dentist.
The fact that you are concerned about helping your son or daughter learn good oral hygiene habits means you are doing a great job! Remember that no child picks-up everything easily and, eventually, your efforts with your little one will pay off. If you ever need assistance or have questions about children’s dentistry, don’t hesitate to connect with us. You can bring your child in for an appointment or call us with any questions. You can either contact us on our website or call us at any of our locations.
