Ways You Can Teach Your Children Good Oral Health Habits at Home

It is recommended that both children and adults see a dentist twice a year for a dental cleaning. If you are in the Greensboro, North Carolina, area and seeking a trusted pediatric dentist for your children, you should visit Dr. Sona Isharani and the team at Triad Pediatric Dentistry. Getting your children’s teeth cleaned and examined twice yearly is only part of ensuring their oral health remains in great shape. You need to make sure they are practicing good oral habits at home. Here are some tips you can follow to make sure this is accomplished. 

Regular Brushing and Flossing 

Two activities critical to anybody’s oral health are brushing and flossing. When it comes to instilling these habits in your children, you are the best model they will have. Letting your children see you brush your teeth regularly will allow them to understand the importance of these habits. You can start teaching your children these habits as soon as they are old enough not to swallow toothpaste. While teaching your children to brush, you can have them use non-fluoride toothpaste. As soon as their teeth begin to touch one another, you can also teach them how to floss daily. One helpful tip you could follow is to have them brush and floss when you do. Not only will they be able to see how to do it properly, but it can be a moment that you share with them, which they will actually look forward to. 

Use A Special Toothbrush 

When teaching your children good oral hygiene habits, they will likely be more receptive if you make this a fun activity. One way to accomplish this could be by buying them a fun and unique toothbrush. Maybe it has their favorite cartoon character on it. If your child gets excited at the prospect of brushing with a toothbrush that has their favorite cartoon character on it, you are already one step ahead of the curve. Also, try to find a toothbrush that will fit in their little hand properly and has the appropriately sized bristles to fit in their mouth easily.  

Teach The Proper Brushing Time 

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that both children and adults alike brush for around two minutes for best results. Teaching your children to brush for this length of time can be a challenge. Anybody with toddlers who are learning to brush knows incredibly how difficult it is to keep them still for 30 seconds, let alone two minutes. One fun way you can do this is by using a sand timer. Find one that is two minutes in length and let them flip it over themselves to begin the brushing task. Once the sand timer is done, they can spit and be done. This gives your child the sense of control that many children seek, especially younger ones. 

Offer Rewards for Good Brushing 

If you are having a hard time getting your children to brush and floss their teeth, one thing you can do is create a rewards system. For instance, they get a star every time they brush and floss properly. Once they reach five stars, they get a small reward or prize of their choosing. Have a small basket of prizes they can choose from. A rewards system like this can get your kids excited about brushing while instilling the habits they will need as they get older to maintain good oral health. 

If you have any questions about your child’s oral health, please call our Greensboro, NC office at (336) 804-8668.