4 Tips to Get Kids Excited About Dental Health
What is the key to lifelong dental health?
Start early!
But how do you get your kids excited about dental health?
We offer these 4 tips to help parents get their kids excited and involved with prioritizing dental health and hygiene so it becomes a lifelong practice.
1. Let them choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste.
With the huge selection of toothbrushes and toothpaste available today, there’s no reason your kiddo can’t get excited about taking care of their teeth. Whether it’s a special character from a Disney movie, a superhero, or their favorite animated search and rescue pup, allowing your child to pick out their own gear makes the process fun from the get-go.
The same is true for toothpaste. There are so many effective kinds of toothpaste in kid-friendly flavors that make the task of brushing enjoyable so you won’t feel as though you are nagging them.
2. Find kid-friendly ways to promote dental health.
There are many games, toys, videos, and books that all focus on the importance of good dental health practices. These can help teach the littlest dental patient things like the importance of healthy eating and how to brush correctly.
If you’re looking for children’s books on the subject of dental health, check with your local library for something that’s age appropriate. Look online for a video that helps your child understand the importance of dental health.
3. Make dental health a fun family activity.
One of the best ways to initiate your child into the world of dental health is to lead by example. Make brushing a family activity. Set a timer or play a favorite song to encourage the recommended 2-3 minutes of brushing. Your kiddos observe and mimic your brushing technique, so make sure you get it right.
Flossing is extremely important for gum health. Young children may not yet have the dexterity required for handling floss. They can still do it themselves, though. There are plenty of kid-friendly flossing devices that make it easy and fun to protect your gums.
You can also offer an incentive to your kids for taking care of their teeth. Sure, good dental health should be its own reward, but it’s not exactly motivating to the preschool set. Set up a chart to track their brushing and flossing, and create a reward system. Did your child accomplish ten days of brushing/flossing twice a day? Take them to the movies, out to their favorite restaurant, or to the store to choose a toy.
4. Familiarize your child with their pediatric dentist’s office.
Your child should be introduced to the dentist at about two years of age. When you take your child to a pediatric dentist’s office, you can rest assured the doctor and staff are kid friendly. They have experience with the littlest patients, and taking your child regularly will help them become familiar with those smiling and friendly faces.
Your kids are sure to be excited
At The Smiley Tooth Pediatric Dental Specialists, we treat every child with the same care and attention we want for our own kids. Contact The Smiley Tooth Pediatric Dental Specialist today, and together, let’s get your kids excited about dental health. We have three locations in the greater Dallas area to serve you.