Making sure your children develop good oral hygiene habits is something that should start at an early age. When a child is taught to take good care of their teeth at an early age it is more likely that those habits will follow throughout their lifetime.
Sometimes, teaching a child good oral habits can be easier said than done. Below you can find a few tips to help you point them in the right direction.
One of the first things you should do when your child is old enough is to schedule an appointment with a reputable kid’s dentist in your area. It is recommended that a child be taken to the dentist when they reach a year old. However, the age may vary according to whether the child has dental problems or not.
It’s important to make sure you keep regular checkups for your child with their kid’s dentist to ensure they have good teeth and a healthy smile.
Children are impressionable when they’re young, so you need to take advantage of that and teach them good oral hygiene. Start when they are old enough to hold a toothbrush, and after their first dental visit.
Children often find the act of brushing and flossing boring, so it’s up to you to enforce these habits. You can try making a game out of this daily activity. Try singing the ABC’s while they brush or getting them a musical toothbrush to pass the time.
Children learn best by repetition. If you stick to a routine with their dental hygiene, they are more apt to get into the habit. Stick to the same routine until it becomes natural to your child. That includes making sure to brush their teeth before bed every night.
While you don’t need to make it a daily habit, there is nothing wrong with rewarding your child for good behavior. Set up a sticker chart and let your child place a sticker there every time she remembers to brush her teeth and does so without a fight. Once the sticker chart is full reward her with an activity or toy she has been wanting.
These are just a few of the best tips for teaching your child good dental hygiene. To make an appointment with a reputable kid’s dentist in Chandler, contact the staff at Pediatric Dental Specialists today.