Too often we think positive change is insurmountable or that it’s this huge obligation. This way of thinking about change is what keeps us from seeing New Year’s resolutions through, sticking to that diet, or trying to keep a workout routine. Change doesn’t have to come in the form of broad, sweeping alterations to our lifestyles; it can be little things you add into your routine that eventually add up to big results. That’s the way we like to approach health care in general. Force little good habits into your life and eventually you’ll find your health improving in other areas. Focus on making little good choices and you'll likely start a snowball effect.
In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month, this post is about little steps you can take to improve your kids’ oral health. Give one or all of these a try:
Teach Your Kids the ABCs While They Brush Their Teeth
We love it when our patients in Turlock try this and report back. It’s usually a humorous and animated story when they share the results. Here’s what you do: try teaching your kids the ABC song while they brush their teeth. Have them sing you their ABCs a few times each time they brush. It’s a way for them to practice their ABCs and increase the time they’ll spend cleaning their teeth.
Teach Them the 2-2-2 Rule
This is a great way to simplify oral health care for your kid and teach them something they might think back on as an adolescent and adult. It’s very simple. Brush and floss twice a day (flossing once is adequate for most people, but we definitely encourage you to floss more than once a day), for a whole two minutes each time, and visit the dentist twice a year. This is a great, simple way to encourage a good oral health routine for your child.
Talk to Your Kids about Tooth Decay
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says that tooth decay is the number one most chronic childhood disease. In fact, your child is five times more likely to experience tooth decay than asthma, four time more likely than childhood obesity, and 20 times more likely than diabetes. Yet, very few parents ever talk to their child about tooth decay. This year, ask your dentist or browse the internet (or our past blog posts) for ways you can explain tooth decay to your kid in an impactful way.
Thanks for Reading!
Thanks for stopping by our blog. We hope these tips help make a positive difference in your child’s oral health. If you enjoy our dental news, tips and facts, please like or share our page on Facebook.