Seeing your child smile is one of the greatest joys in your life. So, naturally, you want to do all you can to help them keep it whole and healthy. Unfortunately, that may not be as important to your little one! Since brushing and flossing are not likely to be the most exciting activities for them, it’s up to you to help them to connect fun with their dental routine. Read on to learn the importance of instilling great oral health care habits early on in your child’s life and how to make them more fun to do!
The Importance of Instilling Excellent Dental Care Habits into Your Child
It can be easy to assume that since children eventually lose their baby teeth, they do not need to give them the same attention and care as their permanent teeth. However, this is far from the truth! Primary teeth are essentially the placeholders for their secondary teeth. If they are neglected, it can not only lead to an increased risk of dental decay but an abnormal eruption of the permanent ones. This could lead to the need for orthodontics in the future as well as the possibility of eventual tooth loss.
By establishing consistent and good oral practices early on, you will ensure your child’s smile will be healthy now and in the future. This will save them time and money in the future, as well as give them confidence for all the adventures ahead of them!
How Can You Make Dental Care More Fun for Your Child?
While you may know all the benefits of instilling essential dental habits into your child early in their life, it can be a lot easier said than done. Your goal is healthy teeth and gums for them while their goal is just having a good time! So why not combine the two? By making their dental care engaging and exciting, they will begin to make it a priority for themselves.
The following are some helpful tips to motivate your child to brush at least twice a day and floss daily:
- Optimize the Power of Choice: By allowing your child to pick their own fun toothbrush and yummy flavored toothpaste, they will be more likely to head to the bathroom when it’s time to care for their teeth. As long as the dental products have the seal of approval from the American Dental Association (ADA), they can keep their teeth clean while also appreciating their individuality!
- Use a Reward System: You can encourage consistency by giving a reward after your child achieves brushing and flossing for a certain number of days in a row. A visual like a chart with stickers will help to engage and motivate them. They can even put the stickers on themselves! Be sure to set an age-appropriate timeframe and reward to keep your child excited about caring for their smile.
- Turn on the Music: Since dentists recommend brushing for at least two minutes for optimal cleaning, you can use some of your child’s favorite tunes to help them achieve the time goal. By making a playlist that cuts off after the set time, your little one will know they are tending to their pearly whites for as long as they should.
- Make it a Family Affair: Nothing beats a good example. If you brush and floss with your child, you can model best practices and connect with them for a few minutes. You can even dance together to the songs they have chosen!
A dental routine doesn’t have to be boring for your child. With a little effort, their oral health practices can be fun and engaging, leading to a healthy, beautiful grin for years to come!
About the Practice
Soleil Dental keeps you and your family’s smile whole, healthy, and beautiful through the expertise of its two dentists. They are passionate about providing friendly, compassionate dental care with high-quality services. With the use of personalized plans and advanced dental technology, they offer a range of treatments and procedures to help you keep your child’s oral health in top condition. To schedule an appointment, contact them through their website or call (214) 304-2112.