Oral Health Month: The Ideal Time to Teach Your Child about Dental Care

It’s Dental Health Month in Canada. With the campaign being highlighted across media and in stores across the country, it’s the ideal time for adults to explain to their children how to effectively care for their teeth.  Within this blog, we’ll provide some helpful tips on talking to your children about effective oral health care.

Start By Setting a Good Example

Parents can begin the oral care teaching process by brushing their teeth in front of their children from a young age. By the time the child is able to speak, they should be watching parents brush their teeth and learning the importance of the brushing process.  As the child develops their language skills, parents can then explain to them the importance of brushing, removing plaque and, protecting against gum disease.

Watch Carefully

By guiding children when they first start brushing, parents can ensure children develop healthy teeth cleaning habits as they grow older. It’s important for parents to stay with their young child while they brush their teeth and to ensure that the child brushes their teeth for at least two minutes twice a day to remove all the bacteria built-up during the day and nighttime.

Make the Process Fun

Try to remove any negative thoughts concerning the cleaning process early on in the child’s life. Parents can help their children enjoy their teeth cleaning process by bringing in characters with stuffed animals to guide the process. Ensure the child is comfortable and allow them to take an active role in the process if they are able to control their toothbrush. This will help them develop the autonomy to protect their own oral health in future years.

Introduce the Dentist at an Early Age

The dentist will be a critical element of the child’s oral care process from an early age. It’s recommended that, from age two, children visit their dentist annually to ensure their teeth are in optimal condition. Try bringing your children to your appointments when they’re very young so that the office and treatments are comfortable and enjoyable!

By guiding children carefully through the oral care process, parents can protect them for years to come! Now is the ideal time to teach children how to protect their teeth! Speak with one of our Team directly to learn more on the teaching process.