How to Encourage Good Dental Habits in Children

Learning how to look after your teeth at a young age really determines the health of your teeth when you are older. Teaching children how to look after their teeth is an important lesson that every parent has to tackle. However, getting your children excited about their own dental health can be a challenge. To help make your life easier we have complied a few simple tips that you can help make oral hygiene fun.

Brush & Floss Your Teeth Together

Most young children struggle with brushing their teeth on their own. While your child might feel confident enough to brush their teeth on their own, they probably are not brushing correctly. Not having the proper brushing techniques can lead to issues that require a trip to the dentist. One way that children learn is by mimicking their parents. Watching you brush your teeth gives them the opportunity to learn how to properly hold and use a toothbrush. You can also use this time to make your child excited about looking after their teeth. If you are showing enthusiasm when you brush your teeth together, your child will look forward to this time together.

Swap Toothbrushes and Toothpaste

If your child struggles with holding or using a traditional toothbrush then swapping to an electric toothbrush might help. Electric toothbrushes not only take the hard work out of brushing teeth but can remove more plaque than a standard toothbrush. An added benefit is swapping to an electric toothbrush can become an exciting adventure for your child. Many now come in fun cartoon themed prints or play music which is an added novelty. If you aren’t sure which electric toothbrush to use then follow this simple guide. Most supermarkets also sell toothpaste specially for kids. These typically feature cartoon characters on the packaging and are available in a variety of different flavours.

Ensure Dental Visits Are Up to Date

Ideally your child’s first dental visit should be shortly after their first birthday. From then on your child should have appointments booked every 6-12 months depending on your dentist’s advice. Having a schedule for dental appointments can help teach your child to place importance on booking into the dentist in the future. If your child suffers from anxiety before an appointment then do not worry as this is quite common. If your child if feeling nervous then avoid making it into a negative experience. By framing check-ups as a positive and fun event you can help reduce the chance they will be anxious for their next visit. By making the dentist a fun place to visit your child is more likely to not be afraid of the dentist as they get older.

Learning good oral hygiene habits at a young age has many benefits. If you need more help with your child’s dental hygiene or want to book a check up then get in touch with the friendly team at Camira Dental today.