It is important to establish good oral hygiene while your children are young. This ensures that they will carry on to adulthood these good dental habits and they will be less prone to gum disease, infection, and other oral problems.
If you’re having difficulty teaching proper oral hygiene to your kids, you can consult with your family dentist, Dr. Joyce Wong or Dr. Stella Caballero, here at Avenue Dental in our North or South Austin, TX, locations. Until then, there are a lot of tips you can follow to help you teach your kids good oral hygiene. The real challenge is putting those tips into action.
The Dental Visit Habit
Getting your kids excited to go to the dentist is half the battle. When we teach them how to enjoy every dental visit, we can be sure that this is something they will follow through on their own as adults. How do we do it?
- Visit your dentist in our South or North Austin, TX, location when they are young to give them a sense that this is a part of their normal life.
- Read books to them about what to expect during the dentist visit.
- Tell them stories of your first dentist visit when you were a child.
- Let them bring their favorite toy or any item that gives them confidence.
- Make the trip exciting by planning and activity before or after going to the dentist.
- Let the dentist take control so that a bond of trust can be formed with your kids.
Early Oral Hygiene Care
For kids two years and older, fluoride is their friend. This means that you can start them brushing using fluoride toothpaste to prevent tooth decay and support the development of stronger teeth. Creating an early oral hygiene routine for your kids could be made easier if they are interested in doing it. From two years onwards, consider these tips:
- Encourage them to brush on their own but always check after to make sure the teeth are clean.
- Make brushing a fun activity by turning it into a game.
- Allow kids to choose their toothbrush and toothpaste so the activity becomes more fun.
- Always supervise brushing until you are sure that good oral hygiene habits are established.
- Brush together with your children by allowing them to mimic what you do. This ensures brushing is done for at least two minutes and all the tooth surfaces are cleaned.
- Use toothbrushes that are designed for kids so that they have no difficulty cleaning all their teeth.
- Watch videos about oral hygiene that your kids can relate to.
- Use their favorite song or nursery rhyme to keep track of how long they are brushing.
- Create a reward system for every oral hygiene mileage so that they have something to look forward to.
It’s likewise crucial to point out that good oral hygiene is not just about brushing, rinsing, and visiting the dentist. It also involves teaching your kids proper nutrition. So encourage them to drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables, and stay away from sugary foods.
Need Help With Your Child’s Oral Hygiene Routine? Contact Us
Reach out to us here at Avenue Dental and arrange your appointment with your dentist, Dr. Joyce Wong or Dr. Stella Caballero, by calling (512) 329-9900 to reach our South Austin office or (512) 382-0100 to reach our North Austin location.