Any parent will testify about how challenging it can be to get children excited about the importance of good dental hygiene. So how do you build good dental hygiene habits for children that will carry on throughout their lives?
Simply reminding a child to brush and floss before bed can be an uphill battle in its own right. So how do you build good dental hygiene habits for children that will carry on throughout their lives?
5 tips for building healthy dental hygiene habits
Dr. Leana Lundt and the JVR Dental team have been practicing pediatric dentistry for many years and suggest using the following 5 tips for building healthy dental hygiene habits:
BEGIN EARLY
The earlier you begin teaching your children about the importance of good dental hygiene, the better it will resonate with them throughout adolescence. Make a habit out of daily brushing and flossing with them so that it eventually becomes second nature to them and part of the daily routine.
LET THEM PICK OUT THEIR OWN TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE
By allowing your children to help select their own toothbrush and toothpaste, you’re giving them a more important role in the dental hygiene department which can help get them excited about building good dental hygiene habits.
TRY USING AN ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH
Nowadays, there are many affordable electric toothbrush options for both adults and children. If you’re desperate for means in which to get your children excited pediatric dentistry and brushing their teeth, introducing an electric toothbrush into the routine can help.
MAKE DENTAL CHECKUPS FUN
Certainly we’re not suggesting that this is an easy task, but with a little bit of creativity, you can get your children excited about visits to the dentist. If your dentist gives out prizes at the end of each checkup, remind your children about this. You can also choose to reward your children after trips to the dentist with things like movie rentals, books or their favorite meal (at least 30 minutes after their cleaning of course).
EDUCATE THEM ON THE BENEFITS OF GOOD DENTAL HYGIENE HABITS
More than anything else, it is important to continually educate your children about good dental hygiene and why it’s important to them both now and in the future. Healthy brushing and flossing habits won’t last long if children don’t understand their relevancy. Talk to your children about both proper and improper oral health care so that they understand the benefits and consequences of each.
If you have any questions about pediatric dentistry and building good dental hygiene habits for children, contact Dr. Leana Lundt and the JVR Dental team. We are happy to answer all of your questions. Please contact us through our website or give us a call at 604-371-3138. For appointments, either give us a call or request one online. We offer many different dental services throughout Langley and Aldergrove.