You’re probably aware by now of how much you regret not taking better care of your teeth when you were younger. Even though your own parents told you a few hundred thousand times that you must brush and floss and take care of your teeth, you probably ignored them a little bit and are paying for it now.
Now that you’re a parent, it’s your job to be the one shouting at your kids and telling them to get upstairs and brush before they go to sleep. You can’t just take the same approach that your parents took, however, because we know how well that worked out. To install proper dental hygiene habits, you have to get creative with how you teach your kids about the importance of taking care of their teeth, gums, and smile.
Here are a few helpful ways that will assist you throughout your dental awareness campaign with your kids.
Find a dentist that the kids think is fun
You should find a dentist’s office that is kid-friendly and not the traditional scary office that kids usually envision. If your children are at ease during their first dental check ups, they will be much more likely to take their teeth care seriously when they arrive back home. If they are terrified, however, even if it means they’ll eventually be back in for even more dental work, your kids might revolt and neglect their oral hygiene.
Physically help your kids brush their teeth
Children might need you to actually help them successfully brush and clean their own teeth at first. Kids are usually not able to thoroughly clean their teeth until they are about 10 or 11 (sometimes even older). So even though it’s not the most fun thing in the world to do, get in front of the mirror with your kids and brush away. Even if they are physically capable, they may need to see first hand how to properly brush those baby teeth.
Limit harmful snacks and drinks
As much as possible, avoid sugary, tooth-destroying drinks and snacks like soda and candy. It’s going to be difficult to wean your children off some of their favorite junk food if that’s all that they are used to. So try to refrain from buying all those sugary cookies and energy drinks. With a little research, you can find healthy snacks and drinks that are just as fun and delicious for your children to enjoy.
Don’t let your children make the same mistakes that you made when you were their age. Teach them about the importance of proper dental care and try to show them the fun behind taking care of their teeth.
