Train Kids To Start Good Oral Hygiene

Child with good oral hygieneAs many of us learned while growing up that ‘too much sugar will rot your teeth?’ It’s one of parents’ most popular phrases to discourage their children from sucking on candy and sipping all day long sugar juices. And while reducing the consumption of sugar certainly helps avoid tooth decay, helping children develop healthy oral hygiene habits isn’t clearly enough.

Here are 5 ways you can help your child develop healthy teeth-care habits!

1.     Talk to Them

Do you sometimes wonder why the thought of stopping playing time to go and sticking a plastic brush with some paste in your mouth twice a day irritates kids?

Speak to them why it’s important to help your kid establish a positive relationship with the practice of brushing their teeth. Help them understand why brushing their teeth is a good thing by using words and easy-to – understand examples.

2.     Practice Oral Hygiene Together

Children follow through with example. Why not ask them to join you, instead of telling them to go and brush their teeth, so you can do it together? Not only will this make them feel inclusive, it will also help to establish that brushing and flossing is not a punishment that adults give to make their lives difficult.

3.     Reward Them for Good Behavior

Set easy targets for oral hygiene, such as flossing or just spitting, not rinsing toothpaste, and reward your child as they pass through. That doesn’t have to be a very monetary award, something as simple as a sticker or an extra story before bed can strengthen good habits.

4.     Let Them Pick Their Toothbrush

Letting your child choose a colored toothbrush or a pattern they like will help them develop a personal connection to their instruments. Which means brushing time is something they look forward to more.

Parents need to be especially vigilant when teaching their little ones how to take care of their teeth, as their childhood habits will stick with them for the rest of their lives. And if you brush off bad oral hygiene in their childhood assuming their baby teeth will fall out anyway, you can later in life get them in deep trouble!

Want to learn more? Give our office a call at 203.878.8596. We look forward to speaking with you.

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