Teaching Your Child the Importance of Oral Care
Teaching your kids dental cleaning techniques at a young age is essential. They can avoid teeth and gum ailments if they learn how to brush, floss, and clean their mouth correctly. Along with this, kids should visit a dentist for regular check-ups and cleaning. Here are a few ways you can teach your child the importance of kids oral hygiene.
It is never too early to start
It would be best to start cleaning your kids’ gums and mouths even before their teeth emerge. This will keep off bacteria and plaque built on their gums and avoid bottle caries. You can start by soaking a soft washcloth, wrapping it over your fingers, and putting it in their mouth. Rub the washcloth gently over their gums, cheeks, and tongue to remove milk deposits.
As they grow older and sprout teeth, get them to brush twice daily. Once they start to understand what is happening, talk to them about the process. You can gradually get them to brush on their own. This will make them feel older and responsible for their oral hygiene.
Lead by example
Be a partner in your kid’s oral care routine. As they tend to mimic what they see, they can develop good oral hygiene by watching you brush and floss. Get them involved in the process by asking them to apply the toothpaste or simply handing you a towel to wipe your face after you are done.
Schedule dental check-up
Start visiting a pediatric dentist as soon as your child is six months old. Usually, their first set of baby teeth would start coming out during this time. This is a milestone in your kid’s oral health journey. Getting a dental check-up done at this age and regularly thereafter will help ensure that your child has a perfect set of pearly whites! Appointments for a kid’s dental cleaning should never be missed.
Use information tools – books, videos, educational toys
Children are visual beings. Using informational tools like toys, books, and videos will help them learn a lot about kids’ oral care effectively. You can stay involved in the entire process so that they understand the importance of good oral hygiene. You will also be able to address any questions or concerns they may have about kid’s oral health.
Keep it simple; make it fun and age-appropriate
Simplify your kid’s oral hygiene routine by getting the right accessories. Help them choose their toothbrush and a flavoured toothpaste they can enjoy. Get them a stool so they can easily reach the wash basin and look at themselves in the bathroom mirror while brushing their teeth. Turn oral care into a fun activity, play some music, and add a special dance at the end of each brushing.
You could also encourage your children to keep up their oral care by rewarding them with stickers or small gifts. But make sure the incentive is not candy, as that will defeat the whole purpose!
These tips will help you prioritize your kid’s oral health. Effective kid’s oral care, like kid’s dental cleaning, helps ensure they have strong teeth and gums. Kids’ oral hygiene is the responsibility of the parents during their early stages. A great foundation sets them up for oral health success.