Every parent wants the best for their kids, and the best should include a strong dental care plan. Simply stating the importance of oral hygiene is not enough. Parents need to have a plan in place and purposely work on creating healthy dental care habits. Intentions die a quick death when lives get hectic. It becomes easy to overlook a child’s oral hygiene until a problem arises. Today we will look at five tips to help establish healthy dental care habits in your children’s lives.
A healthy nutritious breakfast helps kids do well throughout the day. By packing in the protein early, cravings for sweets are reduced throughout the day. It is important to teach children how foods affect their bodies and which ones are empty calories versus those that fuel them.
Have conversations about the food they are eating. Point out how a healthy breakfast provides them with the energy they need throughout the day, whereas an easily grabbed sugary pastry will leave them hungry an hour later. Help them notice the differences in how they feel after eating different foods.
After breakfast and before bed, make a point to ask children if they have taken care of their teeth. Children should brush a minimum of twice a day with a soft bristle brush and floss in the evenings. Without constant reminders, they are likely to forget. Make it a habit early on.
Kids love to rush through brushing so they can get back to playing. It should take a full two minutes for them to brush their teeth. Use a fun timer or sing a song as they brush.
Help make brushing a habit. Get them involved in the process by letting them help pick out the toothbrush and toothpaste. Establish a schedule. Put up a chart, and let them put a sticker beside their name every time they brush and another when they floss.
Sugary foods and sodas stick to the teeth. Children who are just learning proper oral hygiene may not be able to remove the sticky substance properly. Replace candies with fruits. Substitute juice and soda with water. It will make cleaning teeth that much easier for them.
Every six months, children should see a dentist for cleanings and checkups. The more the child goes to the dentist, the more comfortable they will become. This is good for their oral care and will help prevent anxiety that is common when visiting the dentist.
Children learn by example. Do not just tell kids to brush and floss, show them that you do it too. Brush your teeth together, making it a morning and evening ritual. Eat healthy food and limit the sugar. Visit the dentist regularly.
Are you considering a dentist for kids in the Parker area? Get more information at https://www.canyonridgepediatricdentistry.com.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Kids dental crowns can protect a tooth when decay or damage affects too much of the structure for a filling to provide reliable support. A pediatric dentist may recommend a crown when a tooth needs more coverage, strength, and protection during normal chewing. Although baby teeth eventually fall out, they still support eating, speech, comfort,…
Hearing that a pediatric root canal is needed can raise many questions for parents. Preserving primary teeth is vital for speech development, proper chewing, and guiding permanent teeth into place. Understanding the procedural details helps families navigate treatment decisions with confidence. To help, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the…
Cavity treatment for kids may include a dental crown when a tooth has too much damage for a filling to provide lasting support. While many small cavities respond well to fillings, deeper decay can weaken a baby tooth or permanent tooth enough to need stronger protection. A crown covers the visible part of the tooth,…
Taking your child for regular visits to a kid's dentist is essential for maintaining their oral health. However, how do you know when they need to dental care outside of their routine check-ups and cleanings? Here are five signs that it is time to make an appointment with a kid's dentist.One of the most common…