Today’s world is fast-paced, digitally connected and filled with loads of stressors. In this scenario, oral hygiene is often the first casualty. Kids these days are more inclined towards gadgets and video games than the healthy habits of eating nutritious food. This can lead to several long-term consequences in the future, which may include bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, etc. To ensure that your child avoids these pitfalls and stays happy and healthy for the rest of their life, you need to instil good oral hygiene habits in your kid from an early age. There are many things that parents can do to keep their kids’ oral hygiene habits on point from infancy onward. Here are some of the most effective ways to instil good oral hygiene habits in your kids:
Ensure your child brushes teeth properly | Good Oral Hygiene
This will get your child into the habit of brushing their teeth in the right way right from the start. While young kids cannot brush their teeth properly on their own, you can help them by using a kids’ toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of kids’ toothpaste. Make sure to follow the instructions on the tube and to brush up and down the teeth gently. With older kids, you can teach them the right brushing technique and encourage them to brush their teeth twice daily. You can also schedule dental check-ups twice a year.
You can make oral health fun too. Brushing teeth activities for preschoolers include reading stories or singing songs as they brush. Many dental offices offer free toothbrushes for kids but you can also buy a musical toothbrush and do a little dance as it plays music. The more fun you’re having means longer brushing. As parents, you should clean your child’s teeth starting at birth. You can wipe your baby’s gum tissue following feedings with a wet washcloth.
Make brushing time fun for your child | Good Oral Hygiene
As your child gets older, you can make brushing time more fun by adapting to the environment around it. You can decorate the bathroom with colourful wall decals and wallpapers, switch on some fun music, or use playtime with toys that promote dental hygiene.
Involve your child in the process of selecting a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. This will help your child feel more responsible for oral hygiene and will make the entire process more enjoyable. Playing fun music while brushing teeth adds a calming and enjoyable sensory component to this task. Music can also be used as a timer so your child knows exactly how long they need to brush for. This is especially useful if your little one typically brushes their teeth for 10 seconds, instead of the recommended 2 minutes.
Make food a part of your good oral hygiene routine
Foods rich in vitamins and minerals can be a great way to make oral hygiene a part of your child’s daily routine. Some of the best foods for healthy teeth are citrus fruits like grapefruits, oranges, lemons, green tea, strawberries, blueberries, and carrots. You can help your child incorporate these foods into their meal plans to boost their oral health.
You can also consider purchasing a kids’ oral care kit that has all the necessary products. Make sure to read the label before buying these products and avoid buying products that have excess sugar or artificial flavouring.
Don’t forget to remind and enforce good oral hygiene habit
As your child gets older, it is important to remind them of the importance of brushing their teeth twice daily and flossing once a day. This is the best way to ensure that they go about it regularly without forgetting to brush in the morning or before going to bed at night. You can also keep a daily log of their brushing and flossing habits and discuss it with them during your next parent-child meeting.
If they miss a day, try to make it a special occasion the next day and congratulate them for picking up the habit again. If your child resists brushing their teeth, try to make it a game by changing up the routine. You can try making toothbrushing a team sport and challenge your child to a mini-competition.
Don’t scrimp on dental check-ups for your kid
As soon as your kid is old enough, take them to a dentist to get a full oral health assessment. At this point, you can also discuss with the dentist the best ways to instil good oral hygiene habits in your child. You can also ask them to recommend specific oral care products for your child. Before taking your child to the dentist, you can prepare them by telling them that they will be getting their teeth cleaned.
You can also let them know that they will get to pick out a toy from the treasure chest as a reward. This will help them associate the visit with something positive and will encourage them to go back to the dentist’s office for check-ups regularly.
Celebrate milestones with your kid | Good Oral Hygiene
Keep track of your child’s achievements and bookmark. The occasions when they reach the milestones of brushing their teeth, flossing, and visiting the dentist for the first time. These are all great milestones to celebrate with your child. You can also reward your child with a special gift or a special outing for each of these achievements. This will encourage them to keep up with their good oral hygiene habits for the rest of their lives.
Conclusion
As a parent, you have a big role to play in instilling good oral hygiene habits in your child. This is the best way to ensure that your child stays happy and healthy for the rest of their life. To do so, ensure that your child brushes their teeth properly and makes food a part of their oral hygiene routine. Don’t scrimp on dental check-ups for your kid, and celebrate milestones with them. These are some of the most effective ways to instil good oral hygiene habits in your kids.
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