Perhaps the most important part of a parent’s job is to teach their children effective and healthy lifelong habits. While parents often have a great deal of control over very young children’s diets and dental routines, children will gain more independence as they get older. If they have been taught basic oral health skills and why they are important, hopefully they will continue to follow a healthy regimen even without parents looking down on them.
One of the most basic skills any child should know is how to brush their teeth. Just as important, children must understand why this process is necessary. The effects of improper brushing can take years to show up, so children don’t always understand why they need to brush their teeth every night and every morning.
To encourage this important habit, you can try turning it into a game. Have your child “follow” a certain character around their mouth to make sure they are wiping their entire mouth. Your child may enjoy chasing badge “bugs” or following a character they like from books or movies. Small rewards can also help; receiving stickers to place on a chart is a common motivator.
To help your child understand why this funless process is necessary, you can choose one of a wide variety of videos and children’s books that illustrate this concept. You can also show your child pictures of cavities that are not too graphic to illustrate what can happen. A good dentist will also be able to explain the importance of this habit and demonstrate how to do it correctly.
Of course, brushing is not the only aspect of dental health. Eating a good diet can also contribute to strong teeth in addition to overall physical health. In general, children who have been taught to eat healthy from a young age will find it much easier to do so as adults.
For example, try to use healthy foods as treats and rewards, instead of overly sugary snacks. This can help teach children to enjoy fruits and vegetables, instead of seeing them as something sad that their parents force them to eat. Keeping glucose and caffeine to a minimum can greatly reduce a child’s risk of developing cavities and may even help improve behavior.
Teaching a child good habits is not easy. Many parents have to try a variety of tips and techniques before finding something that works well. The important thing is not to get too discouraged and continue to focus on the health of the children.
For more tips on children’s oral health, contact Dr. Bagai, Chicago Family Dentist.
