
Do you have a young child at home who avoids cleaning their teeth at home or resists regular dental visits? Whether they suffer from anxiety or tend to sidestep tasks that feel like chores, many kids struggle with routine oral hygiene.
Fortunately, their pediatric dentist is accustomed to working with children and can provide some helpful tips to encourage them to care for their teeth and gums. Continue reading to learn 3 fun ways you can try to engage your child in the process of building and maintaining a healthy smile!
Tip #1: Join In the Fun
Kids often learn by modeling their parents’ behaviors more than their instructions. If they have a hard time remembering to brush and floss twice daily, it can help to make it part of your whole family’s routine.
For instance, you can brush your pearly whites alongside your child to show them the proper technique rather than give orders. You might even compete to see who can scrub more “sugar bugs” off their teeth by the time you’re done brushing and flossing. Turning their dental hygiene into a fun family game may help them feel more comfortable and engaged, and therefore more willing to participate consistently.
Tip #2: Hum a Happy Tune
Did you know that the American Dental Association recommends brushing for a full two minutes? This might not sound like a long time, but it can feel like forever to your child, who might not yet understand how to measure time or know how long they should scrub their enamel.
You can help them achieve a thorough clean by singing or humming a few verses of their favorite songs to keep them engaged in cleaning their grin long enough to meet the ADA’s recommendations. The more plaque and bacteria they remove, the less likely they are to develop oral issues, like cavities, gum disease, or injuries.
Tip #3: Reward Healthy Habits
If you and your family don’t already have a system for rewarding regular tasks and chores, now is a great time to consider implementing one! For example, you can put together a calendar and put a star or sticker for each day your child successfully completes their dental hygiene routine. Then, after a pre-determined goal is reached, why not reward them by purchasing a fun new toothbrush or taking them to play at the local playground?
If you’ve tried everything you can think of to encourage your little one to keep their teeth clean and they’re still struggling, you’re not alone. Thankfully, your pediatric dentist can potentially provide some ideas or practices you might not have considered that can help!
About the Practice
At G&G Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, your child benefits from two experts eager to help guide still-developing smiles. Dr. Cory, a skilled pediatric dentist, collaborates with Dr. Nicole, an accomplished orthodontist, to offer a comprehensive menu of services to patients from 0 to 18 years old. They combine a caring approach with advanced technology to help with everything from basic preventive care to more complex services. If you’re concerned about the state of your child’s smile, you can request an appointment on the website or call (630) 238-1748.