Brushing and flossing is a good habit that is difficult to keep. This is especially true for kids and teens. Often kids and teens start off strong after their dental visit and brush/floss daily for a few weeks, but over time it becomes easier and easier to skip it until it is time for that next dental visit. No child likes learning that they have a dental visit coming up when they haven’t been brushing or flossing as much as they would like. There are many reasons kids stop brushing their teeth routinely, and a large part of the problem is that it is hard to keep a routine.
Brushing and flossing are easy to skip or forget if you haven’t made it a habit. That is why it is important to make it as routine as getting dressed or going to bed. By making sure your kids are brushing and flossing around the same time every day, it becomes easier for them to not skip a day. Unfortunately, there are a variety of circumstances that break up the routine. First, kids have varying routines based on what day of the week it is. Where it might be easy to stay on top of brushing and flossing during the weekdays, weekends can be a bit of a challenge due to different sleep schedules. A bigger issue though is longer periods of time when kids might not be brushing.
Weekdays provide daily routines that make it easy for kids to stay on top of good habits like brushing and flossing. And while weekends may break up that habit, it is short and temporary. A larger issue is winter and summer breaks. Not only do these breaks make it easier for kids to get out of their routine, but they also pose a potential issue because of vacations. Often times kids will not back toiletries for summer camps, vacations, or for when they plan to visit a friend for a sleepover. These breaks can add up over time, and kids can get out of sync with their daily habits.
This is why it is very important for kids to have a travel bag with travel toothpaste, floss, and a toothbrush. Having a few travel bags set aside for your kids, make it easy for them to pack toiletries whether for a long vacation with the family or for a spontaneous sleepover with their friends. By making it easier to bring their toothbrushes and floss with them, it is easier to avoid dental problems.
All Star Dental in Chicago provides a variety of dental services for families and kids throughout the area. At our five offices, it is easy for kids and teens to get dental services including both cleanings and unique procedures. For more information please contact our team.
