You might ask your child to do something, only to be met with a defiant “No!”. Sometimes, that happens when you ask them to brush their teeth. Even if you know how important it is to brush and floss regularly, your child may not.
You want them to enjoy a lifetime of strong, healthy teeth, and that starts with good oral hygiene in their childhood. What can you do to help them build healthy habits? Try these tips to keep your child’s teeth in great condition:
Healthy Diet, Healthy Smile
The foods we eat each day affect the strength of our teeth. Some foods and snacks are better for our teeth than others. A few healthy snacks include:
- Cheese
- Raw vegetables
- Fluoridated water
- High-fibre foods (like almonds, oats, and apples)
On the other hand, try to limit your child’s intake of sugary candies, juices, and sodas. We know this might be easier said than done, but it’s worth the effort to keep their smiles strong.
When you’re a busy parent, it might be more convenient to reach for a package of sugary crackers than to cut up an apple. To save time, try preparing snacks in batches so they’re ready for whenever your kid needs a bite to eat. You can set aside containers with sliced vegetables, fruit, and/or cheese.
Avoid sending your child to bed with juice or milk because of the sugars in them. While they sleep, bacteria will sit on their teeth, creating decay. Instead, send them to bed with water.
The First Visit At The Dentist’s Office
In general, it’s recommended that you take your child to the dentist after the first tooth erupts. From there, begin scheduling visits regularly; twice a year, or more frequently if you have concerns about their oral health.
Using fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash can be tricky for a child. Swallowing the mineral can cause a stomach ache, so they must be careful to spit out any traces of it. For some children, it might be easier to have a fluoride varnish applied to the teeth. Ask the dentist about applying fluoride to your kid’s teeth.
This approach provides an effective alternative for delivering fluoride benefits to their teeth while minimizing the risk of ingestion. According to dentist from Lux Dental Clinic It’s always best to consult personalized treatments based on child’s age and needs before choosing the fluoride application method.
It’s always best to consult personalized treatments based on child’s age and needs before choosing the fluoride application method.
If your child is old enough to visit the dentist for the first time, you might be slightly nervous about how things will go. But this experience doesn’t have to be a scary one for them – as long as you choose the right dentist.
Educating Your Child About Oral Health
You’ve learned first-hand why it’s important to take care of the teeth. You’re reminded of it anytime you need to get a cavity filled at the dentist. But it’s not as easy for your child to understand. They’re more preoccupied with playing games and watching their favorite shows than worrying about their teeth.
Your child might be more willing to brush their teeth if they understood why it was so important. How can you educate them about oral health in a fun and engaging way?
If your kid is a fan of action figures or dolls, you can use them to play-act a visit at the dentist. This can make the idea of getting their teeth cleaned seem fun and exciting. When dentistry is associated with toys and games, your child might be more curious about it.
As your kid gets older, they might become more afraid of the dental office. A children’s dentist knows how to soothe anxious children at the office. They can use distraction methods, or in some cases, light sedation.
Make Hygiene Routines Fun
When you tell your child that they need to brush their teeth for two minutes, they might roll their eyes at you. It certainly doesn’t sound like a fun activity. How can you make it one?
If your kid likes music, choose a tooth brushing song to listen to. You might even put together a playlist of tracks to listen to in the morning and at bedtime. When the two minutes are up, you can celebrate with a silly dance.
Tracking progress can be exciting. Place a calendar in the bathroom, and for each day that your kid brushes and flosses, add a fun sticker to the calendar. Rewards are an effective way to encourage healthy behavior.
Once they’ve collected a month of stickers, you can reward them with a toy or fun activity. Before they know it, your kid will naturally fall into the habit of brushing and flossing.
With these tips, you can help your child take excellent care of their teeth, and facilitate a lifetime of radiant smiling and painless chewing. When they’re older, they’ll thank you for it.
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