How to Convince Your Children to Brush Their Teeth

If adults, who are aware of the importance of brushing their teeth still forget to do so, what more can you expect from children? Parents are supposed to brush their kids’ teeth until they turn 7. It might not be the most pleasurable experience – children might detest the act and it gets messy – but it is essential.

The Best Approach
When you are teaching the little ones about brushing their teeth, you should start with yourself. Make sure that you brush your own teeth in front of them without any implications. You are giving a subliminal message to your kid that it’s something that should be done on a regular basis. Yes, you have to be the role model. Just like with any daily routine, you have to let your kids know that brushing their teeth is a fun thing to do. Even as your child gets older, make it a habit that your child will sure to bring in adulthood.

Toothpaste IS Optional
Toothpaste can make children want go gag or spit – it definitely makes things messier – and brushing might seem like a chore to them instead of something fun. Don’t let toothpaste hinder your children from wanting to brush their teeth. If they don’t like the taste of toothpaste try different brands and flavours or, just make sure you let them hold their toothbrush and brush away, in the right manner, of course.

Use the Mirror
When you’re teaching your children how to brush, make sure you are both standing in front of a mirror. You cannot really train your child if you have him or her sit on the toilet as you train him or her. Stand beside your kid while he or she brushes his or her teeth, or if his or her age still needs assistance then assist him or her.

Prioritize Brushing
Don’t fit teeth brushing into your busy schedule. When your child sees that you are doing this, he or she might get the notion that brushing the teeth is more of an afterthought – something done as quickly as possible. Let  your child understand that their oral health is a priority.

Family Activity
Eating together is considered as a family activity. You can do the same with brushing your teeth. After a meal, your whole family can gather in the bathroom to brush your teeth at the same time. When you have younger kids, this will be beneficial to them – seeing both their parents and older siblings brush their teeth. You can even try to make it fun by letting one parent brush the other parent’s teeth, or let your child brush your teeth and vice-versa!

Be Positive
Threatening your child to brush his or her teeth might be the worst thing you can do. Don’t say silly things such as they will get punishment from the dentist of they don’t brush their teeth. Brushing their teeth, as well as going to the dentist, should be positive lifelong habits.

Dental Health Resolutions for the New Year

The New Year is a time for renewal, not just of our calendars, but of our lives.  It’s an opportunity to start fresh, yet again, and live a better and healthier life with a new set of guidelines.  If you’re like many people you don’t take care of your teeth as well as you should so January 1st represents a great time to make a change towards better dental health.  Here are some teeth-friendly resolutions you should consider sticking to this year.

Brush up on The Basics

You should brush three times a day and floss daily and if you stick to those basics that’s a lot of preventative maintenance done for your teeth right there.  If flossing has been too much of a hassle for you traditionally consider floss picks or interdental brushes as an alternative.

Get Your Teeth Whiter

You look in the mirror and your teeth are ruddier or more yellow than you’d like.  You can address that with a trip to the dentist.

Get Those Imperfections Fixed

Maybe you have a chip or a crack that doesn’t really bother you, except when you see it in the mirror.  Make the time this year to get those problems taken care of.  Keeping your smile bright and without glaring flaws can be a big boost for your self-esteem.

Teach Your Kids

You know you need to pass on good hygiene habits to the little ones so this is the year to do it.  Take the time to show them how to brush and floss properly and explain the reasons why it’s important.

See Your Dentist More Often

Maybe 2015 has been a busy year, perhaps with the New Year and January around the corner… it’s a great time to get back on schedule to make sure little problems don’t become big ones.  Even a quick dental cleaning can save you a lot in pain and bills down the road.  Make this year the year you start taking really great care of your teeth. 

As a reminder, a majority of dental insured patients has an annual renewal of their dental benefits January 1st.  If you’re one of our patients fortunate enough to have benefits, remember, unused benefits do not get carried forward, they’re lost forever.  If you have any issues or questions about your dental benefits and want some guidance contact us at Pickering Square Dental today.

Your Teeth and Thanksgiving Dinner

The leaves are changing and jackets are fast becoming a necessity.  Autumn is in full swing and that means the holiday season is about to begin.  First on the list: Thanksgiving.  It’s a holiday filled with family, friends, good times, and a whole lot of food.  It’s all delicious but some of it can cause havoc with the health of your teeth and gums.  Here are a few tips to keep in mind when enjoying yourself on Thanksgiving Day.

Stay Away from the Sticky Stuff

While sugary treats in general should be avoided some are worse than others.  If you absolutely need to indulge your sweet tooth do what you can to stay away from stickier treats like jam cookies or pecan pie.  The stickiness keeps the sugar on your teeth longer which can have a larger impact than less sticky sweets.  Try and rinse your mouth with water as soon as possible when you’re not able to brush and floss immediately after enjoying all those special treats!!!

Don’t Graze

If your family is anything like most there’s usually a platter or two of snacks available long before dinner is served.  Snacking here and there creates more harmful bacteria in your mouth and allows that bacteria to stay hard at work all day.  Grab something resembling a lunch and hold out until dinner to give yourself time for your teeth time to protect themselves.  Besides, you’ll enjoy your dinner more if you have room for it.

Keep Water Handy

Acidic drinks like wine or soft drinks are tempting especially when you’re enjoying yourself.  Opt for water if you can as it can help wash your mouth of any leftover food particles or sugars.  If you can’t, or don’t want to avoid harmful drinks, then you should keep water nearby anyway to drink along with them.

Bring a Brush

Just because it’s Thanksgiving doesn’t mean you give up your normal healthy dental routine.  Bring a brush so you can get some of that turkey lodged in there out after dinner is over.  And don’t forget to floss either!

Thanksgiving can be a great time and if you take the right precautions your teeth will be no worse for it.  Then you’ll have one more thing to give thanks for.  If you’ve had too much sticky sugars on your teeth and need to see a dentist, or have any other issues that need attending, contact us at Pickering Square Dental and we’ll be happy to help.