A good number of people know the importance of a good dental hygiene routine, but sometimes, it can be challenging to build the habit, even for adults. Helping your child build good dental habits early will make it easier to maintain them as they grow. Helping your child now will keep their smile bright and healthy for the future. At Oswal Dental, we care about kids and their oral health. We offer several ways to help you build great dental habits for your children.
The sooner you start your child on a good dental routine, the better. By age three, toddlers have grown all twenty of their primary teeth and can begin to use fluoride toothpaste. Building a positive experience around dental hygiene at a young age will help to keep your child building those habits as they grow.
Children learn by mimicking their parents. Often, the best thing you can do to help your child build good dental habits is to have them yourself. Your child will see your commitment to good dental hygiene and want to mimic it. Show your child how you brush your teeth, floss, and use mouthwash. Adapting these behaviors has long-lasting effects on your child.
Help make it easy for your child to build good dental habits by adding a step stool to your bathroom sink and keeping toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste within reach. The less resistance your child has to keep those habits, the easier it will be for them to maintain. If brushing their teeth or flossing feels like a task, they will be less likely to stick with it.
Good dental hygiene doesn’t have to be boring! There are plenty of ways to add some fun to the routine. For example, you could find a favorite song to play while your child brushes their teeth. Doing this will add fun and help your child brush their teeth at the right time. There is also an app that has a fun toothbrushing game!
Dental products for children are the best option for teaching good dental habits. These products often feature cartoon characters, bright colors, and fun flavors that make the dental routine something to look forward to. Some toothbrushes even light up and “talk” to the child to encourage them to brush their teeth at the right time, supporting the positive experience.
If your child sees their friends and siblings caring for their teeth, they will likely want to join in. Supporting good habits with others will help your child stick with them and make it more fun for everyone to participate in building those good habits.
Learning these habits doesn’t always have to happen in the bathroom. Whenever you come across a moment where your child can learn something about their dental health, take the time to speak with them. For example, if your child is wondering why they lose their teeth or why too much candy makes their teeth hurt, you can teach them about these dental health principles.
Setting goals for your child is a great way to keep them motivated. Seeing their daily progress and getting closer to their goals not only builds good dental habits but good life habits as well. You can create a chart to mark their progress and have them help you decorate/maintain it so they can feel like they are part of the fun.
Motivating your child to build their dental habits keeps them motivated to continue. Be careful not to give them incentives such as candy that may damage their teeth. Instead, give them incentives to build good habits, such as being able to choose their next toothbrush or toothpaste.
Going to the dentist can sometimes be a frightening experience for a child, so giving them a positive impression of a dentist right off the bat can help ease your child’s anxiety. Choose a dentist specializing in pediatric dentistry and understand the importance of making a child feel comfortable at the dentist.
At Oswal Dental Clinic, Dr. Oswal cares about kids and makes every effort to make your child’s first dental visit fun and memorable. Kids can play with crayons and coloring books, take a “ride” in the dentist’s chair, and get a prize for being a good patient. They will look forward to visiting the dentist with their first positive visit.
If you are in the Panvel area and need help building good dental habits with your child or need to see a dentist for the first time, we would love to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step to help your child build good dental habits for life!