How to Encourage Your Child to Clean Their Teeth and Why?
As parents, we want them to have great teeth, and we want them to understand the importance of oral health. But how do you encourage children to clean their teeth routinely? Well, there are a few things you can do as a parent:
- Make teeth cleaning fun
If you make it a chore, your child will stop doing it. Instead of making brushing their teeth a punishment for bad behavior or not following the rules, try to make it enjoyable for both of you. If they have oral health issues like cavities or gum disease, talk about how important the habit of brushing is to prevent these problems from getting worse over time. Let them know how much better they’ll feel when their teeth are clean and healthy!
- Make sure the toothbrush is soft to protect their growing teeth and gums.
Ensure that the toothbrush is soft to protect your child’s gums and teeth from being damaged. Second, you want to ensure the bristles are not too hard because they could hurt their tender gums. Thirdly, for younger kids (under age three), choose a smaller-size toothbrush that’s easy for little hands to hold and manage. Finally, look for an electric toothbrush with ‘soft’ bristle options designed specifically for children’s mouths.
- Let them pick out the toothpaste.
The first step to encouraging your child to brush their teeth is letting them choose the toothpaste. Choosing a toothpaste approved by the ADA will also make brushing time more fun for both of you!
If your little one enjoys sweet flavors, consider choosing a minty-flavored toothpaste instead of something with sugary additives or too much sugar. This can help reduce cavities and gum disease while also encouraging healthy habits at an early age!
- Do it with them, and turn it into a fun activity.
You can make brushing your child’s teeth fun by playing a game with them. You’ll want to show them how the toothbrush works and then let them try it themselves. If they’re old enough, let them brush their teeth!
Many children will enjoy doing something that makes them feel like big kids—and this is an excellent opportunity.
- Educate your child why their teeth need to be brushed
To encourage your child to brush their teeth, you should educate them about the importance of brushing. Brushing helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. It also helps keep your child’s teeth clean so they can eat healthier foods, which will help them grow up with healthy smiles!
- Praise good habits.
Reward your child when they brush their teeth or at least praise them after they brush. It’s crucial to let them know that you see the positive effects of good oral hygiene, such as fewer cavities, less plaque buildup, and a healthier mouth overall.
Make sure they are brushing for the right amount of time. The American Dental Association recommends that children brush for two minutes at each session—one minute on each side—and then spit out any leftover toothpaste before moving onto another area of their mouth (such as the cheeks).
Create A Fun Atmosphere for Cleaning Your Teeth.
- Create a fun atmosphere for cleaning your teeth.
- Have them brush after eating a favorite treat?
- Play music in the background, or even better, make up some songs about brushing!
- Use timers so your kid can brush for 2 minutes at a time, and give him/her a reward afterward (such as stickers).
Importance of Visiting a Pediatric Dentist Regularly
It is important to visit the pediatric dentist near you regularly. The best way to ensure your child receives proper care is by scheduling regular visits, which can be done by calling your pediatrician or visiting the website of their local health department.
The dentist will examine your child’s teeth and mouth and check for signs of decay or gum disease. They may also take x-rays if necessary, which allows them to diagnose any problems with their teeth before they become too severe.
You should know what to expect at the dental exam and cleaning in Rocklin, CA. Your pediatrician will likely ask questions about how often you brush your child’s teeth (every day), how long he/she has been brushing regularly, and what kind of toothpaste/brushes they use.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Little Fish Dental for more information about oral health for your kids.