Do you find yourself constantly reminding your kids about their teeth? Are you worried that they won’t develop strong dental hygiene habits? After all, you won’t always be there to stand behind them reminding to brush as they get older. Starting dental routines while kids are young is important.
Why is Dental Health So Important?
Good oral hygiene starts as soon as your kids get teeth. It may be difficult to get a two-year-old interested in brushing their teeth, but the routine can start there. Good oral hygiene is a habit you want your kids to develop while they are young. It prepares them for good hygiene as an adult and prevents dental-related illnesses.
What Your Kids and You Need to Know About Dental Health
Are you confused about what rules apply for taking care of your kids teeth? These tips from R&R Dental outline all you need to know.
- Dentist appointments should be made every six months.
- The American Dental Association recommends that you begin brushing children’s teeth as soon as the first tooth comes in. You’ll use a soft brush and a fluoride toothpaste.
- It’s Ok to use a fluoride toothpaste. But it’s recommended by the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Dental Association. As long as you’re using the right amount of tooth pasttoothpastee size of a grain of rice to the size of a pea) and you’re supervising them to make sure they’re not swallowing the whole tube, accidentally ingesting fluoride toothpaste isn’t a problem.
- Flossing should start as soon as their teeth begin to fit closely together usually between age two and six, you’ll want to get them in the habit of flossing daily. Expect to lend your kids a helping hand (for dexterity) until they’re about 10 years old.
- Snacking should also be limited after brushing.
So how do you develop good dental hygiene in your kids? Here are some of my favorite tips from R&R Dental:
Get the kids involved
Let them pick out their toothbrush and toothpaste when you go to the store.
Use a timer!
Set the alarm on your phone for two minutes and when the alarm goes off, they are done brushing. There are also some toothbrushes with built-in timers.
Brush your teeth together
Kids learn a lot of what they know from their parents. If they watch your good dental hygiene, they will mimic it. Take some time in the evening to brush your teeth with your kids. You can use it as an opportunity to ask questions about their day or even just spend some quality time together.
Get in a routine
Routines are key for kids. Make brushing their teeth part of their morning and bedtime routines. Even if the time varies, they will still know that teeth brushing is after reading and before bed. Make it a routine (and stick to the routine).
You can read their other tips HERE.
What are your tips for developing good dental hygiene? What are your struggles with getting your kids to brush their teeth? Share in the comments or join the conversation on Facebook.
