6 Steps for Teaching Young Kids Better Dental Habits (Guest Post)

​Aside from regular visits to the doctor, a child must develop good oral practices at home at an early age. With the help, guidance and motivation of parents, these kids will grow up to have healthy and bright smiles, free from pain associated with a multitude of dental problems. Below are some tips on how to help your child practice good oral hygiene by getting involved as a parent.

1. Tell a story
Tooth-brushing time is also a great time to tell your creative stories. You can create characters out of the different parts of the mouth to keep them interested. Invent stories about castles, dragons and slayers as they continue to keep their mouths wide open. This is to let you watch and see if they are doing a great job, brushing their teeth.
 
2. Use fun and interesting dental products
There are plenty of dental products available that will not make tooth-brushing a chore, but an activity that kids will look forward to every day. There are toothbrushes with cartoon characters, different flavoured toothpastes, and fun containers of dental floss. These tools will help keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy. There are also electronic toothbrushes available that would make tooth-brushing fun for them. 
 
3. Establish a routine
Parents should establish a schedule for their kids when to brush and floss. This will help them remember and eventually continue the habit as they grow older. It is also important that you show your kids the importance of sticking to a schedule, by practicing it yourself. Your kids will value and prioritize their oral now that you make it a priority as well.
 
4. Eat healthier foods
Eliminate the consumption of sodas, candy, chips and other junk foods, which produces acids that will linger in your child’s mouth. This can lead to tooth decay and other dental problems in the future. This is also unhealthy for the overall health of a developing child who needs to eat the healthy kinds of food

5. Make brushing fun
By being creative, you can make tooth-brushing fun for kids. You can play together while doing it. For example, the child can brush the teeth of a doll or stuffed toy, while you brush their teeth. You can also sing a nice nursery rhyme about tooth-brushing to keep them enthusiastic about it.
 
6. Early dental visits
Early visits to a kid’s dentist as soon as the first tooth comes out, is a foundation for good oral health. Every time you visit a pediatric dentist, they will check the progress of your child’s oral development and health. This will ensure that your child’s teeth will grow and chew properly. Also, they will check for tooth decay and other dental problems that need immediate attention.
 
 
To form good oral habits among your kids, takes a lot of time and persuasion from you. But if you make these moments fun and entertaining for them, they will also see it as something to be enjoyed as well. It is also essential that as a parent, you become a role model in practicing good oral hygiene. When they see that you make it an important thing in your daily life, they, too, will find its value.