Many of our oral hygiene habits develop when we are children. From the fear you might feel when you think before going to the dentist, to the number of times per day you brush your teeth, these habits and behaviors are shaped by experiences and education.
Starting your child off on the right foot with some good oral hygiene behaviors will make a huge impact in their lives. That's why this week we're going to share a few great ways to shape some good habits early.
Teach Them How to Floss
When any two teeth are touching in your child's mouth, you can teach them how to floss by first gently doing it for them. Help them learn the behavior and then let them take over as they become more confident and master the ability. Make it a point to do this once a day with them at an early age to reinforce it as an essential habit. Throughout their lifetime, this simple act will likely save them a small fortune in dental bills.
Teach Them the Importance of Regular Dental Visits
We usually recommend taking your child to the dentist within six months of their first tooth, and no later than their first birthday. This is an important step to take as a parent, but even more important is making sure they visit their dentist regularly.
Regular dental cleanings and exams help reinforce the proactive role a dentist should play in a person's health. This is an important message to send to your child. It also means that problems can be spotted earlier and dealt with in a less invasive manner. This ultimately reduces the chances your child might have an emergency dental experience that is unpleasant, which means a way less greater risk of developing a dental phobia or anxiety in the dentist's chair.
Teach Your Children What to Drink
Like dental hygiene habits, many food and drink choices are also developed at an early age. If you want to spare your child a great deal of tooth decay, teach them to avoid drinks high in sugar. We emphasize drinks in particular because children are heavily marketed to when it comes to beverage choices. Try to get to them before commercials do and encourage better drink choices. This, like the other tips, will benefit them a great deal throughout their lifetimes.
Thanks for Reading!
We hope our tips help you develop and reinforce some good oral hygiene behaviors in your family. If you enjoy reading our blog, please consider liking or sharing our Facebook page!