The dental hygiene habits your child practices during their childhood will last for their entire life. It is important to teach them how to take care of their teeth and practice the right techniques to improve oral health for a long time. One of the most effective ways to instil the habit of brushing and flossing is by making your child feel excited about them. Oral hygiene should be a fun for your kid and this blogpost covers about six tips you can try out with them.
Oral hygiene for your child
It is important to consider what your kid’s dental hygiene habits look like. They should be almost similar to the ones you are practicing yourself.
- Kids should brush teeth twice daily which means once in the morning and once at night. Brush for at least two minutes and children get ready to brush their own teeth when they are 6 to 8 years. But before that, you need to help them with their teeth brushing.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste for your child. Hard brushes may cause damage to the tooth enamel and scrape gums. Change the toothbrush once in every three months or as soon as it wears out.
- Floss daily as soon as two of the baby teeth touch each start. Most children are ready to begin flossing their own teeth by 8 years. Flossers are a great tool for teaching your kid how to floss.
- Some fluoride is necessary to maintain oral health of your kid. This can be fluoride toothpaste or fluoride mouthwash as fluoride strengthens the tooth enamel which is essential for your healthy teeth.
- Do not take sticky and sugary foods and drinks that may promote the development of cavities.
- Never let your baby to sleep with a bottle as this cam cause “baby bottle tooth decay.”
- Infants and kids are highly prone to cavities and may get sealants from their dentist. These are thin and plastic coatings that can protect your teeth from further decay.
- Your child needs to see a dentist once in every six months for routine checkup. This will enable to conduct comprehensive examination and professional mouth cleaning. It is necessary to examine the development of your kid’s teeth for tooth decay, orthodontic issues and other potential issues.
How you can make dental hygiene a fun-filled experience for your kid
Brushing and flossing should be engaging
Think of creative ways to make brushing and flossing more exciting and engaging for your kid. If these habits are a fun-filled activity, then they will more likely stick to them. Below are some ideas to make brushing and flossing wonderful experience:
- Listen to soft music or select designated “toothbrushing song”
- Set a timer for at least two minutes and pretend it like a race
- Tell kids to fight cavities with their brush and paste
- Use a fun toothbrushing app for your kid’s interest
Allow your kid to select their toothbrush
Making your kid excited to practice the habit of good oral hygiene will help them build strong habits for their entire life. An easy way to do this is allow your child to select their own toothbrush. There are colourful and fun toothbrushes particularly designed to grab the attention of your child. When they pick up their toothbrush, they will feel very excited to use their new brush. Thus, involve your kid in the process of choosing their own dental care tools.
Turn brushing and flossing in the family time
Turning flossing in the family time is another way to make these experiences engaging and fun-filled. There are several opportunities to teach your kid how to take care of their teeth and the importance of doing it. Teach your child how to properly care for the teeth and gums. You need to help them with the habit of brushing and flossing. Make sure you give them specific brushing tips and techniques. Being a parent, you can brush and floss your own teeth with your kid. This shows you care for your dental health and take necessary steps for it. By setting positive examples, you encourage them to stick and maintain to their dental hygiene habits.
Create your own brushing chart
A brushing chart will make your kid excited about taking care of their teeth and help them to develop strong habits. Put the brushing chart in the bathroom or near your bathroom sink. When your kid goes to brush or floss, encourage them to put a sticker on the chart. These stickers are a funny representation of their achievements and which they can show to their family members. A brushing chart can also help to maintain a track of their progress towards brushing habits.
Gift your child for good dental hygiene habits
You can use brushing chart in a rewarding manner where your child’s accomplishments will be recognized. Stickers which your child collects are their reward but you can give them certificates, gold stars or high-fives. Another way is to reward your kid daily, weekly or monthly with a small prize or their favourite game.
Make your trip to the dentist exciting
Routine trip to a dentist clinic is important to maintain oral health of your child. It is also necessary to make your kid feel comfortable with the dentist and excited about the appointment. Explain your child what they can expect from the visit to a dentist. When they go to the clinic, the dentist and the entire team over there makes your child feel comfortable and relaxed the entire time. After the visit gets over, think of rewarding your kid with something they like to enjoy such as a trip to a park. Obviously, you should make their experience completely free from fear when they see a dentist.
Your child should visit their paediatric dentist at least two times in a year from 1 or 2 years for the development of their teeth and oral health. Thus, find a private dentist in Holborn to take care of oral well-being of your kid in a comfortable and relaxed environment.
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