Many parents struggle with teaching their children how to properly care for their teeth. Kids don’t exactly want to brush their teeth every morning and night while flossing in between and using mouthwash. It can be boring for them and they tend to lose interest quickly.
Not only that, but many children aren’t aware of the importance of properly caring for their teeth every day. They don’t understand that not caring for your teeth can lead to many problems later on in life. Here are some tips on how to teach your children to properly care for their teeth.
Educate them about dental care
Kids aren’t fully aware of the problems that can result from not brushing and flossing their teeth two times a day every day. So by educating them about the importance of caring for their teeth and informing them of the problems that can occur, you can better encourage them to properly take care of their teeth.
You can educate them by telling them stories about what happens when they don’t brush their teeth, and you can read books or articles to them about how to best care for their teeth. These methods can help to better keep them interested in what you’re saying, and it tends to be more successful in making them take action. Some parents even show their kids videos about how to brush and floss their teeth more effectively (1).
Let them pick out their own supplies
Another great way to keep children interested in caring for their teeth is to let them choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste. There is a range of toothbrushes on the market that feature different designs and various colors that can cater to children of all ages. Your child can pick their favorite color or character.
Additionally, there is also a range of different types of toothpaste available on the market that feature different flavors and tastes. Kids tend not to like the extremely minty taste of standard toothpaste, so letting them choose their own toothpaste for children can encourage them to brush their teeth if they like the flavor. Just make sure that they don’t eat it (1).
Make dentist appointments fun
Not only do most kids dislike brushing and flossing their teeth, but they also tend to hate visiting the dentist. Even some adults hate visiting the dentist because of the stories they hear. That’s why it’s important that you make your children like going to the dentist. Unless they have dental problems like cavities or other issues, most kids only need to go to the dentist for teeth cleaning which doesn’t tend to cause any pain.
You can help to make your children like going to the dentist by rewarding them afterward with fun activities or by doing something that they like to do. Make this fun activity a routine after every dentist visit, and it can help to make your child love going to the dentist.
Using the dentist to help teach your child how to properly care for their teeth is also a great idea. When kids hear about their teeth health from their dentist, they’re more likely to listen and take their advice about brushing and flossing. You should research around you and make sure that you go to a trustworthy dentist as well. If your child is having problems like sleep apnea, snoring or jaw issues make sure you find a dentist that uses Fixed Anterior Growth Guidance Appliance or FAGGA. Exceptional Dentistry, a Dentist that treats FAGGA in Palmdale, CA explains that Your FAGGA can help you with sleep apnea and snoring because when you undergo the maxillary expansion of your jaw, your airway can be opened up.
Use a timer
Lastly, you can also use a timer for when your child is learning how to brush their teeth. The timer can help to make sure that they brush their teeth for the full two minutes. By brushing their teeth for longer, they’re more likely to brush all of their teeth rather than only the front ones or only the top ones (1).
Conclusion
Ultimately, it’s extremely important that you teach your kids from a young age how to best care for their teeth. It’s not a difficult process, but kids tend not to like the routine involved. By incorporating these tips into you and your child’s lives, you can help to encourage them to care for their teeth and develop healthy habits that they’ll have for the rest of their lives.
