As our children go through their developmental years, we must teach them how to care for their dental health. Even before their first tooth breaks through their gums, we must start caring for them. Protecting your child’s oral health is setting the groundwork for a future with a beautiful smile free from gingivitis and dental decay. The first teeth we develop may be temporary, but they are crucial to developing our adult smiles. Resting in the jaw, they help ensure that adult teeth have room to grow straight when the time comes. We should take whatever steps to ensure these teeth remain until they’re ready to fall out naturally.
Promoting Good Oral Hygiene In Our Children
We’re not born knowing how to care for our teeth properly. As parents, it’s our job to ensure that children develop these habits and understand how to do them correctly. One of the most crucial steps you can take in this process is engaging your child. Be sure to listen to their concerns, get their input, and give them the agency to make decisions about their oral health. You also want to ensure that you answer their questions thoroughly and completely, no matter how many times they ask. Each time they ask, the information is being deeper seated in their minds, helping to reinforce good habits. Other essential steps in developing these habits in our children include:
- Give Them Choices – This is essential in empowering your child and giving them agency in the process. Simple things like letting them choose their toothbrush, selecting a preferred flavor of toothpaste, and picking out floss make them feel engaged. This makes them feel like less of a passenger in the process and more of an active participant. This can ease anxiety and make the development of these habits more important to them.
- In Their Own Time – When scheduling a dental appointment, have them with you. Get a selection of appointment times that are convenient for your schedule. Then allow your child to select from them, so they get involved in the decision. This can make them feel more confident about visiting the dentist and that it’s their choice to take care of their dental health.
- Develop Habits As A Family – Another way to help them develop good habits is to make it an important bonding experience. Get together as a family when it’s time to brush your teeth, and make it a fun and engaging time. You can catch up on the day’s events, help make sure they’re brushing properly, and make it part of the tradition of going to bed. All things that will build important memories.
These tips will help you get your child enthusiastically engaged in developing good oral health habits.
Speak To Your Dentist For Further Guidance
Now that you’ve helped your child develop good oral health habits, it’s time to consider consulting your dentist. These experts can provide important insight into what can be done to improve your child’s oral health. Further, there are aesthetic points that can be taken into account when addressing decay or dental injury for your child. Call today to schedule your consultation.
