Good pediatric dentists will talk to your child about all the things they should be doing at home, like brushing twice a day and flossing, to prevent tooth decay. Starting good dental habits at a young age is incredibly helpful in preventing long-term dental issues. And sometimes it takes a little creativity by taking the lesson to the playroom where kids can practice on pretend dentist kits and toys. In the meantime, here are some helpful tips to improve a child's oral hygiene.
How to Improve Your Child's Teeth Brushing Habits
Prepare a toothbrush with toothpaste for toddlers next to the sink as a reminder in the morning and at bedtime.
Young children will have more success with this visual cue and will eventually take over the prep work themselves!
Brushing your teeth together will guarantee a longer, more thorough job.
Kids pick up healthy habits by imitating their parents. Plus, you are going to brush your teeth anyway, so why not do it alongside your child? Those five minutes together each night will set your child on a path to good dental health...and are sure to invoke some shared giggles.
Find some fun toothpaste that will appeal to kids.
Movie characters, superheroes and cartoons make appearances on toothpaste tubes for good reason. Kids are drawn to the pictures of their favorite characters, and that may be just what you need to get them to brush. Take your children shopping with you and let them choose the toothpaste. Engaging them in the process will help.
Buy an electric toothbrush to help with some of the heavy lifting!
Kids will love the buzzing, spinning, vibrating sound and feel of the bristles cleaning their teeth. You can even find toothbrushes that play music for the length of time teeth should be brushed.
Sometimes parents feel like the advice they give their kids goes in one ear and out the other. So why not lean on some fun picture books about good dental hygiene? Good kids' picture books about dental hygiene can help get the message across without lecturing or scolding, and will set your child up for a lifetime of healthy teeth-cleaning habits.
Add some kids' books about the dentist to your child's bookshelf.
The idea of a magical fairy evaluating little pearly whites and leaving a reward based on their appearance may be just enough to do the trick!
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Stories About Healthy Habits
