Brushing and flossing are the core of your family's oral hygiene. But how can you be certain your kid's teeth are receiving the daily care they require? Here, our Smile Town Burnaby dentists offer tips to improve daily oral health routines for both kids and parents.
Brushing and flossing your teeth is the cornerstone of good dental hygiene, no matter how old you are.
But, it can sometimes be hard to know if you and your child are doing enough to maintain your oral health. This is doubly the case when a regular hygiene routine isn't exciting for your kid.
Here are some fun improvements you can make to your and your child's daily dental hygiene.
Brushing and Flossing Can Be a Family Activity
We often brush our teeth at bedtime and when we wake up: times when the whole family is often home and together.
Taking the time to being present together while brushing and flossing can be valuable in our hectic lives. You may appreciate the short bit of family time it encourages.
You can also set a good example by showing your kids how you brush your teeth (and make sure you're treating your teeth well by doing so).
Find Exciting Ways to Keep Time While Brushing
Brushing twice a day for at least 2 minutes is the foundation of good oral health. But that time can drag on when you're a young kid!
Try keeping time by using your kid's favourite song. Most songs are 2-4 minutes, and selecting a backtrack to their brushing will make the experience a fun and exciting one.
You could also use commercial breaks as a timer for your hygiene routine. The time constraints of getting to the bathroom, brushing teeth and only getting to stop when their favourite show is back on can make taking care of their mouth a high energy event!
Encourage Your Kid To Choose
Toothbrushes come in all shapes and sizes. Letting your child choose a toothbrush featuring their favourite character will help them get excited about brushing every day.
Likewise, toothpaste and dental floss come in many varieties and kid-friendly flavours. If your child selected their toothpaste and floss, they will likely be more enthusiastic about their oral hygiene.
They get to feel like they're making an important decision too, encouraging their interest in daily oral health.
Start Brushing and Flossing Early
Before your child is able to brush and floss on their own, you should be cleaning their mouth for them.
When your child has their first tooth emerge, it's time to begin brushing. As soon as they have two teeth beside each other, flossing can start too.
These are opportunities to keep your kid's mouth clean and model good oral hygiene.
The earlier you start flossing their teeth, especially, the higher chance your child will think about flossing as a regular part of oral hygiene—setting them up for lifelong oral health.