At Cute Smiles 4 Kids, teaching your child how to practice good dental hygiene is part of what we do. We look at every visit your child makes to our office as another opportunity to teach them ‘how to brush’ and ‘how to floss,’ so that their smile looks and feels great for a lifetime.
As parents, we know it can be difficult to monitor your child’s daily habits – and it can be even more difficult to build and reinforce positive habits that aren’t typically seen as fun. But we’re here to tell you that it is possible to make sure that your child is brushing and flossing correctly at home, and give you some helpful ideas for inspiring these habits early in their development.
Start building the teeth brushing habit early
One of the easiest ways to reinforce building the teeth brushing habit is to start as early as with your child’s first tooth. Our children’s dentists are ready to help you prepare to take care of your child’s oral health with a free mock dental exam for children under the age of 18 months.
By visiting our office and starting to care for your child’s smile at a young age for a dental cleaning and dental exam, they will grow accustomed to the idea of having their teeth cleaned and will be more receptive when it comes time to use a toothbrush.
Make the experience fun and exciting
Children can be finicky when it comes to trying new things, but the moment you try to make something fun, they’ll be more receptive.
If your child is uncomfortable with your attempts at brushing their teeth, try using a favorite toy, puppet, or stuffed animal to entertain them. And if that doesn’t work, there are a lot of colorful toothbrushes out there that feature popular characters and (oftentimes) music to make the experience a lot more fun.
As your child gets older and they begin to brush their teeth for themselves, try making the action an experience. Build stories or songs around the process of taking care of their teeth, and brush and floss alongside them. It might sound silly, but that silliness is what can persuade your child to take this action and make it a fun and functional habit.
Simply set an example, and educate your child
One of the best ways to promote home dental hygiene care is to practice it with your child. Setting an example in how to brush your teeth and how to floss will help them feel more comfortable with adding it to their routine.
And if you see your child not brushing or flossing correctly, don’t be afraid to gently instruct them on what they might do to improve. While the childrens dentists and staff at Cute Smiles 4 Kids aim to protect your child’s smile, we unfortunately cannot do it 365 days a year, so it is up to you to make sure that your child doesn’t pick up any bad brushing or flossing habits (such as not flossing at all).
Looking for more childrens dental hygiene tips?
We’ll be posting more articles with tips and advice here on our childrens dentistry blog, as well as in our ‘Parents’ Guide to Kids’ Teeth‘ area.
Ready to Schedule an Appointment?
Cute Smiles 4 Kids is accepting new patients! Give us a call at 602-861-3333 or schedule an appointment with us online today!