How to Teach Your Children Good Oral Hygiene Habits

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How to Teach Your Children Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Did you know that 42% of children between the ages of 2 and 11 have dental caries? This makes it all the more important to teach your children proper oral hygiene, or they could end up as a statistic.

It’s never too early to start teaching your children good oral hygiene habits! In fact, the sooner you start, the better it is for them. Teaching kids how to take care of their teeth is an important part of their overall health and well-being.

However, doing so is easier said than done for the most part. That’s because kids are always up and about and pay little attention to their teeth. So how can you instill proper oral hygiene habits in your kids?

We’re glad you asked, and we have all the answers you need right here. In today’s post, we’ll be highlighting a few tips on how to teach your child good oral hygiene habits.

Lead By Example

The best way to teach your children anything is by setting a proper example for yourself. If you want your kids to brush their teeth, then you should be brushing yours too. If you want them to floss, then you need to floss as well; you get the idea!

When it comes to oral hygiene, leading by example is key. Show your kids that oral hygiene is important to you and that you take it seriously. This will go a long way towards getting them to do the same!

Bring Some Fun Into It By Inventing Dental Games

Another great way to get your kids to brush or floss their teeth is by making it into a game. There are tons of dental games out there that can help make oral hygiene fun for kids.

There are even apps that can turn teeth brushing into a game. All you need to do is download one of these apps and bring on the fun. The kids will; be more excited about brushing their teeth if it’s a fun game.

Let Them Pick Their Own Toothbrushes and Toothpaste

If you want your kids to be excited about oral hygiene, then let them pick out their own toothbrushes and toothpaste. This way, they’ll be more inclined to use them because they’re using products they actually like.

No child wants to use boring old toothbrushes with foul-tasting toothpaste. Far from that, they want their favorite cartoon characters on their toothbrushes and peach-flavored toothpaste.

Allowing them to pick their own toothbrushes and toothpaste will make them more excited about brushing their teeth.

Use Duplo Blocks to Teach Them How to Floss Properly

Another great way to teach your kids how to floss is by using Duplo blocks. This might sound like a strange tip, but it’s actually quite effective.

All you need to do is get a few Duplo blocks and use them to demonstrate how to floss properly. Stick little bits of play-doh on the blocks, then ask your kids to remove them using dental floss. It’s a fun and effective way to teach them how to remove particles between their teeth and the gumline.

Once they see how it’s done, they’ll be more inclined to do it themselves.

Let Them Brush Their Own Teeth

Last but not least, you should let your kids brush their own teeth. This might seem like a bad idea at first, but it’s actually a great way to get them to take oral hygiene seriously.

When they see how much work goes into brushing their teeth properly, they’ll be more inclined to do it themselves. Not to mention, it’s a great way to teach them responsibility.

Explain the Consequences of Poor Dental Hygiene

Of course, it’s important to explain the consequences of poor dental hygiene to your kids as well. They need to know that if they don’t take care of their teeth, they could end up with cavities or worse, even lose their teeth.

No child wants to be toothless or have a mouth full of cavities, so this is usually enough to get them to take oral hygiene seriously. While it’s important to be honest with your kids, do your best not to scare them.

Have Regular Checkups With a Pediatric Dentist

Finally, you should have regular checkups with a pediatric dentist. This is important because they can spot any problems early on and prevent them from getting worse.

They can also give your kids a professional cleaning which will remove any plaque or tartar that has built up on their teeth. Regular dental checkups are an important part of keeping your kids’ teeth healthy. But when picking a pediatric dentist, ensure you choose the best pediatric dentist in your area.

Read Them Dental Hygiene Books

Another great way to get your kids interested in oral hygiene is by reading them dental hygiene books. There are tons of great books out there that teach kids the importance of oral hygiene in a fun and engaging way.

Plus, it’s a great way to bond with your kids! So next time you’re at the bookstore, pick up a few dental hygiene books for your kids. They’ll be sure to love them.

Make Kids’ Oral Hygiene a Breeze

Oral hygiene is important for kids and adults alike, so it’s never too early to start teaching good habits. Hopefully, the above tips will help you kick it off on the right foot. Just remember to lead by example and make it fun for them, and they’ll be sure to follow your lead.

Also, don’t forget to schedule a regular visit with a pediatric dentist for optimum dental health. Check out other posts on the site for more informative reads.