Oral hygiene is an important part of a child’s routine. In attrition to visiting their dentist in Chicago every six months, children should be taught proper hygiene from a young age to reinforce good habits. Here are some tips for making good oral hygiene fun.
- Make a Routine
Children and adults alike both respond well to routines. Create a brushing and flossing routine in the morning and evening, after breakfast and before bed, starting when they are young. If you’re really serious about it, you can even pack a toothbrush in their lunch so that they can brush at school. - Brush and Floss Together
Children mimic their parents, so if you brush and floss with them they’ll take after your example. Show them your brushing technique and how you brush your tongue, then floss their teeth or help them floss if they’re old enough to do it themselves. To make it more fun, you can make up a song or a rhyme to recite while you’re brushing and flossing. - Let Them Choose the Brush
There is a wide selection of toothbrushes available for children with bright colors and fun characters. Let them choose a brush that makes them excited to brush their teeth. There are even brushes that play music while your child is brushing. - Keep Track of Time
The American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes twice a day. Use a two-minute timer when your child is brushing. Let them flip it over and start brushing. - Make a Chart
Charts are a fun way to keep track of regular teeth brushing. Let your child put a gold star on the chart every time they brush their teeth. You can also use stickers of animals and other fun things to make them excited about brushing. - Surprise them after a Dentist Visit
Regular check-ups are an important part of oral hygiene. Your child should visit their dentist every six months. After the appointment, surprise your child with a fun activity, like visiting the park or going on a picnic with healthy foods.
As long as you reinforce good habits and get them in a good routine, teaching your children good oral hygiene shouldn’t be difficult. Remember to give them positive enforcement as much as you can, giving them words of praise when they brush and floss. Good habits last a lifetime, so teaching them to brush and floss regularly is essential to their health. Contact Art of Modern Dentistry to know more information.
