Dental Hygiene Tips for Kids
May 24th, 2010 by Bill E. Kidd
Getting your kids to take an interest in good dental hygiene can be a challenge. Brushing and flossing just aren’t as interesting as that cartoon on TV, mom’s make up, or that kickball begging for some attention.
Kids consume large quantities of sugary snacks every day like fruit juices, popsicles, jelly, and cereal. These high-sugar foods all pose a threat to your child’s good dental health. Here are a few tips to help you get your child to make dental hygiene a priority.
Dental Hygiene tips for Kids
1. Make brushing fun. One of the best ways to keep your kids brushing is to make the process fun for them. Let them pick out toothbrushes, and buy fun-flavored toothpastes that they enjoy. You can also make brushing an event your kids look forward to by playing brushing games like Simon Says brush this way, or by singing as adapted version of Old MacDonald to include brushing activities.
You can even tell stories about the cow who forgot to floss and the pig who ate too much junk. Taking an interest in brushing and making dental hygiene fun can go a long way toward developing healthy dental care habits that your child will continue as an adult.
2. Model good brushing. Learning experts agree that kids learn by watching the actions of those around them. If you model an interest in good dental hygiene, your kids will take notice. Brush your teeth with your child and model proper brushing techniques for them to follow.
3. Reward your kids. If your child puts forth an admirable effort in caring for his or her own teeth, be sure to reward him or her for their behavior. Rewards can come in the form of a new toothbrush, a special sticker, or even a favorite treat as long as your child remembers to brush again afterwards. Even small rewards can help reinforce your child’s dental hygiene activities, making them more likely to repeat the action day after day.
4. Incorporate dental hygiene into other activities. If you include discussions about caring for your teeth in other activities, such as while grocery shopping, or while playing outside, your children will learn that dental hygiene deserves special attention. Ask your child what foods in the grocery store would be tooth-friendly; help your child to notice similarities and differences between his own teeth and the family dog’s.
Talk about the difference in animal teeth between animals that eat meat and those that eat veggies, and ask your child to compare his finding with his own teeth. If you can get your child thinking about how important his mouth is, he will be more likely to take an added interest in caring for his own dental hygiene.
Dental hygiene is an important part of your child’s good health and good brushing and flossing habits are created early in life. Take the time to make brushing a priority in your house and your children will benefit for the rest of their lives.
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