Teaching children the best dental habits early in life is extremely important, but holding their interest long enough to instill these lessons can be tricky. Parents may need to come up with ways to make oral hygiene more fun and attention-grabbing. These 5 suggestions from a kid’s dentist in Naperville can help get children excited about brushing and flossing.
1. Brush and Floss with Them
Children who look up to their parents often mimic their behavior, so brushing and flossing alongside them can give them a useful example to model their own habits after. This can also make the process more enjoyable for the children overall, and it allows the parents to oversee their oral hygiene routine and confirm that they understand the basics.
2. Personalize Their Dental Products
Choosing a specially flavored toothpaste or a toothbrush that comes in the child’s favorite color can make brushing more enjoyable. To help them feel like they’re taking an active role in their dental care, parents can take their children to the store to pick out their new toothbrushes themselves.
3. Play a Song
Children need to brush for at least two minutes at a time. Keeping them focused on the task for that long can be difficult, but one possible trick is to use a song they enjoy as a timer. It could be a song played on a smartphone, or the parent could sing it themselves. Either way, having something pleasant to listen to can keep a child’s mind on brushing.
4. Pick Up Educational Books and Videos
Reading books and watching videos that talk about good dental hygiene can help reinforce the best oral health habits. Children will be able to learn more about taking care of their teeth in an easy-to-understand way while having fun.
5. Play Pretend Dentist
Parents can help their children “practice” for upcoming dental visits at home. One technique is having the child lie back and counting their teeth with a toothbrush. This can help get them in the right mindset while visiting the actual dentist so that they aren’t as nervous.
It’s never to early to start learning about ideal dental habits; parents should talk with their children’s dentist about other ways that they can start laying the foundation for good oral hygiene habits that lead to a lifetime of healthy smiles.
About the Practice
At Grand Dental – Naperville, we help children of all ages – especially those who are still learning the best ways to take care of their teeth. Our team will always take the time to give your child the personalized care they deserve, and they’ll use these regular appointments as a way to teach them more about taking care of the teeth. To set up a pediatric dental appointment with us today, visit our website or call (630) 904-1000.