Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100
Do your children give you a hard time when you ask them to brush
their teeth? They may ask why? Or do I have to? Does this sound familiar? If it
does, your children may truly be looking for the reason on why they have to
brush their teeth!
Did you know that 50% of children will have a cavity or filling
between the ages of 5 and 9? This is why it is extremely important to instill healthy oral hygiene habits in your children from a young age.
A great way to get your kids interested in oral-hygiene and
regular brushing is by making oral care more fun for them! Here are some tips
on how to add some fun into brushing, courtesy of nickjr.com!
1. Show, Don't Tell.
Floss once a day and brush and rinse twice a
day, every day. Share the experience with your kids. When leading by example,
your kids are likely to imitate behavior and make oral hygiene feel less like a
"kid thing." You may want to brush your kids' teeth at least once a
week to demonstrate and make sure back teeth and gums are not being neglected.
2. Let Kids Decide.
Empower your kids by letting them choose a
fun, colorful toothbrush made just for them, a cool and flavored toothpaste,
and type of floss, so brushing will become less of a power struggle. Then keep
the bathroom stocked with these favorite oral care goodies.
3. Make Brushing Fun.
Help your kids develop proper oral care habits
and make it fun by incorporating pre- and post-brush rinses in their oral care
regimen. Try different kinds of children's mouthwash to catch pesky food
particles and germs that toothbrushing can leave behind.
4. Be a Star!
To further boost motivation, tack or tape a
few photos of your kids' favorite role models, heroes, movie or TV stars, or
singers--flashing their pearly whites, of course--onto the bathroom wall. This
will remind your kids that a bright smile not only goes a long way in Hollywood
and elsewhere, but it is also a great way to brighten up each day.
5. Make It Silly!
Turn the oral care routine into a funny-face
contest or make it a Simon Says game by calling out different parts of the
mouth. The whole family will complete the routine and see who can go the
longest without laughing!
6. Clean to the Beat.
Brushing, flossing, and rinsing can all be
rhythmic activities. Play some of your kids' favorite music so they can enjoy
their oral care routines. On average, brushing should last about two minutes
and rinsing 60 seconds. Together these activities may last the length of a
typical song.
7. Visit the Dentist.
And remember to take your kids to visit their
dentist regularly. The American
Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) recommends parents
schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as the first tooth appears.
Do you have any other tips on how to make brushing fun for
children? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE!
Dentistry is important for a child to maintain his overall health. The oral cavity is just one part of the human body, but its condition can affect other body systems, especially those near it.
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