MANY PARENTS PROBABLY wish that their kids came with an instruction manual. Things like how to teach them healthy dental habits aren’t always obvious, but your Westminster, CO pediatric dentist can help. We have a few tips we hope will make the process of teaching your child how to brush and floss on their own a little smoother for your family. And what better time to start some of these than at the beginning of a new year?
Prioritize the Health of Baby Teeth
Temporary doesn’t mean unimportant. Just because your child’s baby teeth will be replaced with permanent teeth, it doesn’t mean it’s fine if they end up full of cavities. Caring for your little one’s baby teeth is a vital aspect of early childhood dental care, and it goes beyond just preparing for the arrival of their permanent teeth. They contribute significantly to speech development, proper nutrition through effective chewing, and help set the stage for the alignment of their future adult teeth. Furthermore, problems with the baby teeth can adversely affect the development of the permanent teeth.Â
Baby teeth play a crucial role in maintaining the space needed for the eruption of permanent teeth. Losing a baby tooth prematurely, due to issues like decay, can lead to neighboring teeth shifting into the empty space, potentially causing alignment problems when their adult teeth start emerging. Additionally, healthy baby teeth are instrumental in supporting your child’s ability to eat a nutritious diet, ensuring proper nutrition for normal growth and development.
Begin Building Life-Long Habits Early
Cultivating good oral hygiene habits from an early age is key. Brushing and flossing your child’s teeth regularly not only helps keep them cavity-free and with health gums, but also establishes habits that will likely stay with them as they grow. Embracing these healthy dental habits early makes it a natural part of your child’s daily routine, setting the stage for a lifetime of optimal oral health. So, while those baby teeth are temporary, the care they receive now sets the foundation for your child’s lasting healthy smile.
Teaching crucial life skills to a young child can be challenging, given their abundant energy and short attention spans. To make imparting dental hygiene habits easier, consider the following tips:
- Prioritize brushing: Demonstrate that brushing is a priority. If you treat it like a burdensome task, your child might view dental hygiene in the same light. Position it as a simple but non-negotiable part of the morning and evening routine.
- Let your child choose their toothbrush. This helps give them a sense of ownership over the process, making it more exciting for them. Many children are motivated by an electric spin brush.
- Brush in front of a mirror: Whenever possible, brush in front of a mirror so your child can observe the process. This not only involves them more but also provides a visual guide.
- Make it fun: Turn brushing into a game to encourage cooperation. Maintain a cheerful attitude, and consider playing lively music or fun video to make the two minutes of brushing more enjoyable for your child.
- Check out the many toothbrushing apps now available online. Our patients love them!
The Pediatric Dentist Is Your Best Resource!
If you’re planning to make fostering healthy dental habits in your kids part of your 2024 goals, we’re eager to hear all about your brushing routine with your child. Do you have a strategy that’s working well that wasn’t on our list? How much have our tips helped? Make sure to tell us about it at your child’s next dental appointment at our Westminster practice.Â
We can also help with services like professional cleanings and dental sealants, which protect a child’s molars from cavities in the years when they don’t have the dexterity to effectively brush all those pits and grooves. You can learn more about our practice by checking our business page, and make sure to get directions before heading our way.
