You should begin to take care of the teeth of your teen early, as it helps in building a good habit. Children encounter a lot of challenges brushing their teeth and flossing on a daily basis, but when they are taught to enjoy it, children will do it frequently. This helps in building up confidence and also in good health. You will find that some interesting routines will make a big difference in kids’ attitudes towards dental hygiene. It all really boils down to starting the right things as a parent. With a small effort on your part you will be in a position to ensure that your children adopt a loving habit to brush and floss their teeth.
Make Brushing and Flossing Fun
Turn brushing and flossing into games for your children. Provide them with their favorite and humorous toothbrushes and toothpaste having good flavors. You can sing with them or even set an alarm for two minutes. Turn it into a game, who brushes better? Allow them to select what they want regarding tools. Give small rewards like stickers or a fun activity as this encourages them to be consistent. Whenever brushing is viewed as fun, kids tend to do it without being forced so as to avoid developing cavities. In this way, kids will not face fear and will want to do it daily.
Lead by Example
You have to show your little ones that brushing and flossing is not only a boring thing to do but a fun thing to do by doing it together. Doing it together helps them learn and feel secure and safe. Always be positive about the fact that you are doing it yourself. Just a bit of enthusiasm and a happy attitude can actually do wonders. Also tell them practical benefits about why they should clean their teeth such as not having a sore tooth or having strong teeth. Every time they learn to floss and brush well, celebrate their success. This will make them think, “Oh wow, it is something that I can do, too.” Remember that what you do will actually speak louder than what you say to them and they will copy what you do.
Educate in a Kid Friendly Way
The greatest sophistication is simplicity in trying to explain to kids the value of oral hygiene. Use children friendly resources like comics, games, and stories. These will spark their imagination and make the connection between cleaning teeth and being superheroes, inspectors, or aliens. Talk about “sugar bugs” to demonstrate why sugar and cavity causing bacteria must be avoided or show pictures of what clean teeth look like and the raw teeth and the results of neglecting oral problems, followed by a simple explanation of how to treat them. When they ask questions, give them answers and not dismissive replies. This approach will make them accept healthy dental care and be interested in doing it regularly. They will realize that brushes and floss are mentors in keeping their teeth intact and healthy.
Make Dental Visits Positive
To reduce any dental anxiety in your kid, take them to a dental office even as toddlers. Make sure that the place is welcoming, very calm and not scary to be in. You can also pretend to be a dentist at home to show your kid what will happen. A little practice will make them more awake and less scared. Also do not forget to compliment your kid after the checkup. Taking your child to a San Diego pediatric dentist or wherever you are offered a friendly environment will make them associate such visits in a more relaxed manner and your child will not have to fear paying another visit to the dentist. With positivity in every visit the experience will be improved each time. Avoid dental phobia and simply ensure that early visits to the dentist becomes a health marker of better teeth.
Establish a Consistent Routine
Oral care is something one should do on a daily basis and it begins with a properly formed routine. Do the brushing at the same time like after breakfast and bed so that they get themselves used to the act naturally. You can assist them in making this part of their day with charts, teeth brushing apps or some sticker rewards. You can even gently request your kid if they forget to floss, but never in a nagging or harsh manner. These methods provide children with a sense of security and understanding of what to expect. If they know what comes next, they will have an easier time adopting a mouth care plan. A stress-free and dependable routine is what really matters and it will stick very well with them.
Conclusion
In closing, making the kids enjoy teeth cleaning is a combination of fun, education, and routine. When you infuse little excitement into such things, assist them to grasp what they are doing, and do it regularly, they will make dental care a part of their life. Your repeating positive reward and attitude really lays a strong base for good dental habits over a lifetime. Establish patience, as these habits will not make real change overnight. Remember that once you make it all positive and fun the kids will, in fact, be happy to take care of their teeth.
