Looking to learn some good dental habits to instill in your children while they are still young? It is necessary for you to take care of your children’s teeth until they are old enough to take care of them by themselves. This starts with the eruption of their first tooth. This very first tooth in children is susceptible to tooth decay. For that reason, you as a parent need to take proper care of your children’s teeth until they reach the age of about five.
When your child is between the ages of five and 10 you can start teaching them good dental habits. Make sure to supervise them between these ages. By the age of 10, most children are able to provide themselves with the proper oral care.
The following is a list of important dental habits that should be instilled in children as early as possible:
Brushing teeth is a dental habit basic and needs to be performed properly in order to thoroughly clean the mouth. Children should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoridated toothpaste to brush their teeth. They should do so for a full two minutes using small circular and back and forth motions.
Flossing is often necessary by the time a child reaches the age of six. Choosing a child-friendly floss is recommended as children will be more excited to use a dental floss that is flavored. Parents need to show them how to properly use dental floss so as not to damage their teeth and gums.
Drinking fluoridated water helps to clean the mouth, strengthen the teeth and keep a constant flow of saliva. According to the American Dental Association, saliva is the mouth’s first defense against tooth decay.
Harmful strains of bacteria are transferred from one person to another. This makes it necessary that children understand not to share anything that can transfer oral bacteria from one person to another. These include sharing utensils and pacifiers or kissing on the mouth.
Making dental habits fun can make children excited to take care of their oral health. Ideas for making brushing and flossing fun include dancing to favorite tunes, using fun toothbrushes and toothpaste and creating a reward system for proper oral care.
When parents regularly take their child to see a child-friendly dentist they are teaching them the importance of regular dental visits. This gets them used to a lifelong dental habit that is essential to their good overall dental health.
When you instill good dental habits in your child as early as possible, you are doing what is necessary to ensure they always have a healthy mouth. Since every child is different, if you have more than one child it is necessary for you to treat each child differently as every child develops differently. For example, one of the more important things a child needs to learn is to not swallow toothpaste when brushing their teeth. When a child is able to do this, it shows that they are ready to take further steps to dental habit independence.
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