5 Ways Parents can help their children have healthy teeth!
5 Ways Parents can help their children have healthy teeth!
- Let them pick out their own toothpaste, floss, and mouth rinse- When kids have a choice in any decision, whether it’s what color towel they want to use that day or which jacket they should wear, they have a huge boost of power and feel more significant. When it comes to dental health, and kids can choose their own toothpaste, floss sticks, and mouth rinse (which come in many different flavors), they are more likely to use them!
- Have them use an electric toothbrush- There is so much research in the benefits of using a good quality electric toothbrush twice a day versus just a manual toothbrush. For one, it works with superior technology that really removes plaque and stain better from the enamel and around the gums. However, the second reason is that most of these better quality electric toothbrushes have a built in timer that tells the child they are done! How many times have you heard, “But mom, I did brush long enough!” Be sure to also help your kids if they are younger and check their brushing once done. This is such an great way to ensure they are doing a good job.
- Use encouragement – When your child has brushed and flossed as you have asked them to do be sure to give them plenty of encouragement with positive words. “Thank you for brushing your teeth like you were asked”, or “Great job with the flossing today, keep it up!” These simple reinforcements will take your children a long way
- Educate them about good dietary habits- You’d be surprised, but I have so many kids tell me that they drink a lot of sodas throughout the week or have no limits on their sugar intake. It’s really important to first set the example for your children, but equally important is to set limits for your children when it comes to sugar or acid in their diet. For instance, only 1-2 sodas per week or limit the sticky gummies and candies throughout the week. Healthy habits start at home.
- Be the example for your children- This last tip might be simple, but it could be one of the most effective of them all. The idea is to link the parent’s routine with the kid’s so that they can witness the parent’s hygiene habits and use them to model their own. Kids are highly impressionable when it comes to parental behaviour. Sometimes simply seeing their mom or dad work to keep their teeth healthy will help them do the same.
There you have it, five ways parents can help their children develop a sound dental hygiene routine that will
keep their teeth healthy for years to come.
