Responsible oral health care is important for everyone and it begins at an early age. There is no better influence on health care than one’s environment, making a positive approach to dental and oral hygiene an important part of a family relationship at home through rules and routines. But staying on track of your child’s approach to their teeth and their healthcare can be difficult in a hectic everyday environment. You can help promote healthcare with your children with these five engaging tips, setting your children off to the best possible start in life.
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Begin Early
Dental care actually begins before your baby gets their first visible tooth. Teeth develop during pregnancy, with 20 primary teeth located in the jaw but hidden away under the gums. To clean your little one’s mouth, gently use a damp washcloth to clean your baby’s gums and remove any bacteria. You should then use an infant toothbrush and a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste (you can find child-friendly brands). Generally speaking, you can begin teaching your child to spit after brushing at around 2 years of age, with children younger 8 always being supervised as they’re more prone to swallowing their toothpaste.
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Make Tooth Brushing Fun
Now that you’ve set your regular morning and evening brushing slots, it’s time to make the activity fun. There are many ways to make brushing fun, from light-hearted games (brush to the music beat) to races, parents can help make dental hygiene fun. When organising a game with your child, you could reward your child with a sticker card. Of course, there are a number of additional products on the market like toys, baby brushes and colourful toothpaste, which all help set a playful atmosphere.
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Schedule Regular Dental Appointments
You should aim to take your child on their first dental appointment as soon as their first milk tooth appears and aim to take them at least once every year. This helps children adjust and recognise the dental office, as well as aiding you with any information for early age healthcare. Make the visit a positive experience to remove any fear or anxiety. You can do this by making the journey there and back fun, letting your child wear a fun costume or including a visit to a park or play centre. Specialised paediatric dentists like Pure Dentistry are ideal for young ones, as they have years of experience with children and can help them settle into the experience with ease.
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Brush Together to Set an Example
Brushing with your child makes them feel included, as well as setting a good example. Children love to imitate their parents, so by showing how important oral health is, you can encourage them to see tooth brushing and flossing as a fun experience.
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Avoid Sugar
It’s no secret that sugar is a dentist’s worst enemy. With calls to drastically reduce sugar intake in developed countries worldwide, you can set a precedent by educating your child about sugar. Look at the foods your child loves to consume and make sure to limit how much sugary snacks they have. Try replacing these with low sugar snacks and zero-sugar drinks. You can make this fun by rewarding your child for each healthy snack they have with a points card and stickers.