Your children only have one set of permanent teeth after all of the baby teeth are gone. When they start to lose their baby teeth, they need to understand more than ever how to provide the best oral hygiene so that they don’t have any issues in the future. Mistakes can happen, and cavities can develop regardless of how much care is provided, but you need to show your children the best way to brush, floss and care for the teeth so that they are healthy and strong.
Make it Fun
If children see brushing as a chore, then they won’t want to do it, which can lead to cavities and other health issues with the teeth and the rest of the mouth. Sing a song while brushing your teeth together, or make a race out of correctly brushing the teeth to see who can get done the fastest. You can also play a game while brushing so that kids want to get the teeth as clean as possible.
Going to the Dentist
Your children should see a dentist at least twice a year. Find a dentist who the children are comfortable with. There are offices like Edwardsville Family Dentist who will treat all children with care and do everything possible to educate them about cleaning while making them feel relaxed. Some offices offer small prizes when the children leave and give a toothbrush to take home.
Lead by Example
If your kids don’t see you brushing or flossing, then they won’t want to do it, either. You need to lead by example. Brush the teeth at least twice a day and floss at least in the evening to show that it’s important to care for the mouth. You also want to show children that it’s important to rinse the mouth with a wash that has fluoride in it so that the teeth will be strong. Show children issues with your own mouth, such as cavities if there are any, so that they can see what neglect can cause.
Choosing the Tools
Let children choose the kind of toothbrush that they want and the toothpaste. If they can make the experience a bit more personal, then they will want to use the items that they select. There are some toothbrushes that come with stickers. This could be an idea for a reward when children brush every day.
Teaching children how to brush the teeth the proper way is an important step in getting them on the road to being an adult. They need to see that it’s a fun task instead of one that just takes up time. Make sure they see a dentist who can use better tools when it comes to checking the teeth and making sure that there are no cavities or other issues present.
