Hello Monroe! Welcome back to the ongoing dental health blog of Bayou Dental Group. Normally, we like to use this blog to tell you about the various exciting options we offer for restorative and cosmetic dental work. But today we’re going to change things up just a bit.
We recently had a young mother come into our office; after her teeth cleaning, she mentioned that she has a hard time getting her five year old to brush his teeth. Establishing a good oral health routine is extremely important for the future of a child’s smile, but getting them to brush and floss can be quite a challenge.
Because we care a great deal about your family’s oral health, we thought we’d provide you with some tips and tricks for getting your child to brush their teeth. During childhood, people develop habits that will stay with them for most of their lives. So it’s extremely important to make sure your children brush and floss their teeth.
You want your child not just to brush their teeth when they know you’re watching them, but to instill the importance of a healthy routine into them. This helps them to value their teeth as they get older. Of course, that can be easier said than done. It can be hard to get a child to sit still during a move, let alone sit still and listen to a speech about oral health. But you can actually turn brushing and flossing into a bit of a game.
If you can create a fun routine for your child when they’re brushing their teeth, it can go along way towards ensuring that your children continue to maintain positive oral health habits as they get older. So without further ado, here’s three tips and tricks for getting your children to brush their teeth.
Tip #1: Turn Brushing into a Party
What does every party need? Music. Adding music during your children’s brushing routine is an easy way to make brushing fun for them. You can even select a song that allows them them to brush in-rhythm to the music. We generally recommend mid-tempo music as fast music may make them brush too quickly, and irritate their gums.
Music has another added benefit. The American Dental Association recommends that everyone brush their teeth twice a day, for two minutes at a time. Using a song can help ensure your children brush for long enough. Many toothbrushes have built-in timers, but this makes an inexpensive alternative.
Tip #2: Combine Oral Health with a Story
Reading to your child before they go to sleep helps them develop an inquisitive mind and a love of knowledge. You can greatly enrich their lives by reading them stories, as most children’s stories contain some type of lesson or moral.
So why not start the process while they’re brushing their teeth. This can save you time as your children go through their night time routine. It also serves as another sort of timer to ensure that they are brushing long enough. Find some stories they love, perhaps Dr. Seuss, and they’ll love the excitement of brushing their teeth.
Tip #3: Brush Your Teeth at the Same Time as Your Children
For better or worse, children tend to follow the examples set by their parents. If you brush your teeth with them, it can show them the importance of oral health. You can also ensure that they are brushing properly, and show them the best way to floss. We recommend combining family brushing them with music. If you can create a party-type atmosphere, you’re children will learn to love brushing their teeth.
Make An Appointment
Even the best oral habits are not an adequate substitute for visiting the dentist. The American Dental Association recommends scheduling appointments for your children every six months. These routine appointments give an opportunity to clean your children’s teeth, as well as examine them for potential signs of tooth decay.
Childhood dental care is important foundation for the development of their adult teeth. In addition, routine exposure to the dentist’s office helps prevent your children from developing any dental fears or phobias. This sense of normalcy will ensure they maintain a beautiful smile for the rest of their lives.
So schedule an appointment at the Bayou Dental Group in Monroe, LA. You can schedule an appointment by calling our office at 318-323-9303.
