Cavities are a pain for anyone who has them. While cavities create a lot of pain and drama among children, they can be quite preventable with the right techniques. One of the best ways to prevent children from having cavities is to teach them better techniques when it comes to nighttime brushing.
Watch Casually
If a parent is concerned about the brushing habits of a child, take the opportunity to watch him or her as teeth are brushed. It can be easy for a parent to focus on what a child does when brushing. According to Calgary dentists at C U Smile orthodontics, a child may alter his or her brushing habits briefly because their being watched by a parent. Instead, try to observe how a child brushes naturally. Parents may be surprised at how the front teeth are ignored, but the gums are brushed extensively. Take note of what happens, and think about how to address the brushing issues.
Demonstrate Brushing
Children may know they should brush their teeth at least twice a day, but may need an example from a seasoned veteran. A parent is one of the best examples a child has in terms of learning how to brush. While it may be tempting to make the brushing session into a lecture, resist the temptation. Instead, make it fun and easy to watch. Talk about how much toothpaste to put on the toothbrush. Next, talk about the importance of brushing the teeth the same way every time. Try answering questions a child may have in terms of why brushing the teeth in the way back of the mouth are important. Children learn from observation, and watching a parent brush his or her teeth is a great example for them.
Experience Brushing Together
A final way a parent can help a child brush thoroughly is to brush their teeth at the same time. The child is not being put on a spot, and brushing can be made into a fun game. The point of brushing together is that the child can put into action what he or she has already seen a parent do. If a parent sees something that is not done correctly, the incorrect brushing method can be corrected gently at that point in time.
It can take a bit of time before a child has mastered brushing their teeth correctly. Children can learn great habits that can prevent cavities from forming at all with the right help from those who know best.
