This month is National Children’s Dental Health Month, promoting the education of the importance and benefits of good oral health for children. It is the perfect time to start thinking about your child’s oral health. Good dental habits are crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, and February is a great time to start making changes. Take some time to stop and think about how your family is handling their dental health and if there are any areas where you could improve.
Brush, Floss, Smile
Here are some tips for keeping your child’s smile healthy and bright:
- Make it fun! Let them pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste, and make sure they know that brushing their teeth is something that grown-ups do too. Set a good example by brushing your own teeth at the same time as them.
- Encourage them to brush for two minutes twice a day. You can use a timer or let them listen to a song while they brush.
- It’s also important to floss daily, and you can help your child get into the habit by flossing together as well.
- Finally, make sure you take your child to the dentist for regular checkups so that any problems can be caught early on.
Family Fun
Brushing your teeth can be a whole lot of fun if you make it a part of your family’s daily routine. You can start off by letting your child select their favorite two minute song that the family can dance around to while brushing to make them excited about brushing every morning and night! It also helps to remind them that as adults, we can have fun with brushing our teeth too so they can look up to us and take cues from our behavior. Make sure to demonstrate how to brush correctly (in circular motions) and how to floss those hard-to-reach places.
They sure are handy when you smile, so keep your teeth around a while!
– Dr. Suess
Regular Checkups
From the first tooth that emerges to the last, visiting the dentist regularly is essential to a child’s dental health. Unfortunately, it’s often something overlooked by parents. Regular checkups are a significant way to ensure any negative changes or issues with your child’s teeth are addressed as soon as they start happening. Rolling this out as part of your normal routine will mean you can avoid more costly trips down the line and also ensure any treatments needed will be less severe. Make sure you take your child to the dentist for regular checkups so that their smile remains healthy and happy.
A good smile is something that lasts forever and it all starts with proper dental hygiene! By following the simple tips above and having regular visits to the dentist, you’ll be helping your child develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime! Check out our Kids Corner to learn more about how to make the dentist fun for kids or schedule an appointment today!
