How to Teach Your Kids Dental Hygiene: Fun and Educational Tips Amy Smith, November 21, 2022October 30, 2023 How to Teach Your Kids Dental Hygiene: Fun and Educational Tips Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash Dental hygiene is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for kids! Teaching them how to take care of their teeth at an early age will help them maintain healthy smiles for years to come. In this blog post, we will discuss some fun and educational ways to teach your kids dental hygiene. Keep reading to learn more! Why is dental hygiene important for kids? Everyone knows that it’s important to brush your teeth, but for kids, dental hygiene is even more important. That’s because their teeth are still developing, and poor dental hygiene can lead to decay and cavities. Furthermore, kids are more likely to develop gum disease if they don’t take care of their teeth. That’s why it’s so important for parents to brush their children’s teeth twice a day and take them to a pediatric dentistry specialist for regular checkups. By teaching kids the importance of dental hygiene at an early age, they can develop habits that will last a lifetime. What are some fun ways to teach your child about dental hygiene? Most parents would agree that getting their kids to brush their teeth can be a bit of a challenge. However, it’s important to teach children about the importance of dental hygiene from an early age. Luckily, there are a number of fun ways to make learning about dental care enjoyable for both you and your child. One idea is to let your child choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste. This way, they’ll be more excited to use them. You can also turn brushing into a game by making up silly songs or challenging your child to see how long they can brush their teeth. Finally, be sure to praise your child whenever they do a good job with their oral care routine. You can use a chart to track their brushing habits. There are many kits like the Crest “Tooth Fairy in a Box” which gives children the excitement of getting a sticker reward each time they take the time to brush. With a little patience and creativity, you’ll have your little one brushing their teeth like a pro in no time! What toothpaste should your child be using? When you begin brushing your baby’s gums and teeth, they will be at an age where they can not spit out the toothpaste. For that reason, you will want to be sure to use a toothpaste suitable for infants. As they get to the toddler stage, you can introduce them to the next step up. Before they reach age three, that is the time to start using fluoride toothpaste. You will want to be sure that it is a pea-sized amount and help them to spit it out after brushing. Once they are mastering spitting out their toothpaste, you can move to a toothpaste that will help with cavity prevention and still include fluoride (around the age of 6). The newest Crest Kids Enamel + Cavity Protection toothpaste is the next big toothpaste innovation for kids: the most advanced kid’s toothpaste in our line, and the first product in a new category of children’s oral health products called Crest Kids Advanced. Crest Kids Enamel + Cavity Protection is specially designed for developing adult teeth (children 6 and up). It protects and strengthens teeth while also preventing cavities. The formula includes a unique barrier against sugar and acid that is formed through a 24-hour enamel shield, with twice-daily brushing. Crest Kids Enamel + Cavity Protection contains the same trusted active ingredient as Crest Pro-Health (stannous fluoride), in a new kids formulation, to provide a secure defense against tooth decay. What are some educational ways to teach your child about dental hygiene? It’s never too early to start teaching your child about dental hygiene. You can begin by making sure they brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day. You can also take them to the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. In addition, you can teach them about healthy eating habits and how to avoid sugary drinks and snacks. Furthermore, you can encourage them to use mouthwash and brush their tongue. One way to teach them the importance of dental hygiene is to use educational tools like YouTube videos or cartoon episodes about brushing. These can be fun and engaging ways to teach your child the importance of brushing their teeth. Additionally, you can encourage them to brush by making it a game or rewarding them for doing a good job. By teaching your child about dental hygiene from an early age, you will help them develop good habits that will last a lifetime. At what age you should let your child become more independent with brushing their teeth? When your child is younger, you will need to do most of the brushing for your child. As they get older, it is best to allow them to brush while you, as their parent, go back over their teeth to be sure they have cleaned all the teeth well. So, when is it ok to let them start brushing completely on their own? There isn’t a very direct answer. It all depends on your child and how they are doing with brushing. Most dentists would recommend helping your child brush until they are between the ages of 6-9 years old. A lot of it depends on their dexterity. Small hands may have difficulty using a toothbrush as effectively as an adult. When should you take your child to the dentist? The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children see a dentist by their first birthday. After that, the ADA recommends that children have dental checkups every six months to ensure good oral health. These regular checkups are important because they allow the dentist to catch any problems early and provide treatment if necessary. In addition, the dentist can provide guidance on how to care for your child’s teeth and gums. If you’re looking for a reliable dental expert, you can check out this one that offers veneers, teeth whitening, and dental implants in Charlotte. How to prepare your child for their first trip to the dentist The dentist can be a scary place. One big tip for prepping your child for their first dentist trip is to have them already used to some of the sounds they will hear in the dentist’s office. On their first trip to the dentist, the hygenist will use an electric toothbrush. That sound can scare a child if they are not used to it. By using an Oral B Supertooth Rechargeable electric toothbrush, your child will be used to not just the sound but the feeling of something moving quickly in their mouth. When they arrive at the dentist, they will already be used to the sounds, making it less scary. Conclusion It’s important to start teaching your child about dental hygiene from an early age. You can do this by making sure they brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day. You can also take them to the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. In addition, you can teach them about healthy eating habits and how to avoid sugary drinks and snacks. Furthermore, you can encourage them to use mouthwash and brush their tongue. By teaching your child about dental hygiene from an early age, you will help them develop good habits that will last a lifetime. Share on FacebookTweetFollow usSave Health Life Parenting Tips brushingcheckupschildrenCleaningCrestdental hygienedentistflossinghealthy eating habitsoral Bsugary drinks and snacksteeth