Making sure children are prepared with the right knowledge to take them through the rest of their life is the one of the pillars of parenting. Knowledge of dental care and oral hygiene is an important part of that. Sure, kids may get a brand new set of teeth pretty early on, but good habits ingrained young carry over into adulthood. Here are some great ways to make sure your kids know and practice proper care of their teeth and gums.
Be a Good Example
Your most important method of teaching is by providing an example. If you brush your teeth and floss, your child will understand that’s just a part of life. Regular trips to the dentist can bolster that too – letting them know it’s just part of the routine – and can also be beneficial in dispelling dental anxiety early.
Reinforce the Habit
Use positive reinforcement to help your child learn. Give praise and positive feedback when your child has brushed properly for two minutes… and more so, when they’ve brushed and flossed. Children are very responsive to this… we all want to please our parents!
Explain to Them Why it’s Important
Kids are often smarter than we expect them to be. If you take the time to describe what can happen if they don’t take proper care they’re likely to listen. Google some pictures of bad teeth if you think it might help – images like that can be unpleasant to look at for kids but might be instructive if compliance is becoming an issue. How you explain it is, as always, your call as a parent.
With just a couple of these tips, teaching your child about proper oral hygiene and dental care will be easy. Oh who are we kidding? Raising kids is tough – but teaching them to take care of themselves is important – and this is information you know they should have, so if these tips help even a little, then they were worth reading. If you or your child need any dental care, or are looking for a great group of family dentists, contact us here at Pickering Square Dental, and we’ll be happy to help you out.
