Tips for Raising Kids with Good Oral Health Habits

Teaching children to develop strong oral health habits can be challenging. Fortunately, however, it’s not impossible. With the right approach, you can raise kids who practice and understand the importance of good dental hygiene. Below, discover some practical tips for fostering commitment to dental care in childhood and beyond.

Set a Good Example

Children often emulate adults, so when it comes to oral care, you should lead by example. Watching you brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly could be your children’s introduction to good oral hygiene and dental care. It’s more effective to let your kids see you taking care of your teeth than to simply tell them to brush or take care of their own. Just remember to answer any questions they have about your habits, and be sure to explain why these habits are important while you’re doing them.

Use a Dental Chart and Schedule

Creating a dental chart helps children learn the steps of caring for their teeth. To pique your kids’ interest, create a paper, cardboard, or poster board chart that’s both interactive and visually appealing. Use printed photos from the internet, draw pictures, or use cutouts from books or magazines to illustrate the various steps. Use colourful crayons or markers to write out steps, such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Hang the chart near the sink for easy reference.

While a chart is useful for everyday oral care, a dental schedule will ensure their teeth are healthy and growing well. Dental schedules track milestones in your children’s tooth development and serve as a record for dental appointments. With a schedule, you can easily keep track of dental appointments to ensure your children are visiting at appropriate intervals. The best family dentist Sherwood Park has to offer will help you create and maintain a dental schedule.

Encourage Proper Techniques

Brushing and flossing are less effective when done improperly, and can even be harmful in some cases. So, it’s paramount to teach proper techniques for brushing, rinsing, and flossing from a young age. There are a few things you can do to help your children master dental care techniques. For example:

·         Teach them how to hold their floss and toothbrush properly

·         Demonstrate the technique for getting in between each tooth with floss

·         Show how to brush every surface of each tooth using the right amount of pressure

·         Explain why proper technique is important

Utilize Educational Videos and Books

Children respond well to colourful images and fun characters. Therefore, children may be more likely to take an interest in dental care when it’s presented in colourful educational videos or books. Fortunately, this content can be found easily in online videos, books, and TV shows. Educational videos and books are some of the most effective ways to teach your children about good oral health, especially if they feature your child’s favourite cartoon characters.