The struggle of being a parent is teaching your kids about the basic things in life and that includes their oral hygiene. A regular visit to their family dentist is one good way for them to make it a habit to trust a professional take care of their teeth. But of course, your dentist cannot watch your kids’ oral hygiene every day, which means that the task is all up to you. Technically, having a healthy, appealing smile is not all about brushing regularly, rather, there are actually more ways to introduce oral maintenance to your children in ways both of you will enjoy.

Let Your Kids Enjoy Taking Care of their Teeth

Okay, so teaching your young person about brushing their teeth 2 times a day is a great parenting technique, hence, including flossing and dental check-up will enable your kids to value oral care and keep it as a lifetime habit. But, your kids will definitely appreciate it more if you will make them feel that you are with them in this learning milestone.

Do Brushing and Flossing Together

It’s one way of setting an example. A growing adult will first set their eyes on their parents and to see everything they do is what they should be doing too. So if you and your kiddo will be brushing and flossing together, it will not only be a bonding moment for you guys but is also a way of training them to do oral hygiene the right way. Show your little Mr or Ms the right and proper brushing techniques that they will remember for the rest of their lives. After that, you show them how to floss and guide them through it until they can do it all by themselves. You can make it extra fun by playing a kiddie song that will make brushing time extra fun.

Consider Cute Brushes

Don’t set aside fun and cute brushing stuff because it will lure your kids more into the oral hygiene regimen. Kids have a wide array of creativity and imagination and seeing attractive toothbrushes will just excite them. Just make sure that you replace them with soft bristled new brushes just avoid irritating and hurting their sweet gums.

Stick To Time

Brushing time for both children and adults is two minutes and that is imposed by the American Dental Association, therefore, it is to be followed for proper oral hygiene. Adults can easily monitor their two mins but as for kids, you should still make it fun, how? By using a two-minute sand timer with different colors and let your kid flip it when he or she starts brushing.

Encourage Them More

It is true that parents are the kids’ first teacher and home is their first school. So you have to keep on encouraging them by showing them books and educational videos about why they should be mindful of their oral kiddie hygiene habits. There’s a lot of fun videos specifically designed for kiddie audiences about oral care and keeping their teeth strong and healthy. Since they can easily relate to children stuff, then it’s also gonna take some weight off your shoulders when it comes to motivating your children about oral care.

Brushing Chart

Kids enjoy challenge and activities. So as for their brushing practice twice a day, make sure that they take it really seriously. Challenge them that if they complete their “twice a day” brushing assignment for the day or for the week, they’ll get a reward for being obedient. You can go all the way creative in creating a brushing chart while your kid can put a sticker on the chart every time they brush their teeth. You will surely be looking forward to their excited faces once they’ve accomplished their chart.

The Dentist Visit Perks

A regular visit to the dentist every six months is also an important practice your children should acquire and get used to. A professional intervention when it comes to your child’s oral hygiene is important to ensure you that you are doing a great job while your kid is doing great as well to keep up with the habit. To keep their moods up, surprise them once in a while with a treat after the dentist appointment or a great family time out at the mall or at the park. Just stick with healthy snacks too, as much as possible.

Teaching kids is a work in progress because you are basically training them from scratch. You can always seek help from your children’s dentist Falls Church clinic to be guided with your oral care parenting 101. Doing your own research is also a great practice because both you and your kiddo are learning together.