We know the best time to instill good habits and best practices in your kids is when they’re young, the younger the better! Teaching good dental hygiene practices now will ensure they have the strongest and healthiest teeth they can for many years to come. The habits you build now will likely follow them throughout their teen and adult life.
Make it a Family Event
The key to teaching your kiddos good health is making it as fun as possible so they’ll pair a positive experience with good oral hygiene. Make it a focus to get the whole family together in the morning or evening when going through your routine. If they see you and their older siblings practicing the same habits, it’ll reinforce the idea that it’s normal for everyone to do it.
Let Them Be in Control of Decision Making
Next time you’re at the grocery store, take a stroll down the dental care aisle and let them pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste. This will give them a sense of independence in building their own habits. Encourage them to pick a toothbrush that is their favorite color or a toothpaste with their favorite cartoon character on it. The more positive connections they can make with this habit building, the better.
Play Their Favorite Song While They Brush
Pick a song that is at least 2 minutes long and make it a mini dance party! Eventually, they’ll get a feel for how long they should be brushing their teeth. This is also a great way to add a little fun to their morning or bedtime routine, further creating that strong positive connection we’re looking for.
Good habits start with you, the parent. Along with these tips, it’s important that you role model the behavior you expect from them. Your children look up to you and often mirror your behavior so if you make yourself a part of the process, they’re more likely to follow in your footsteps. If you start to see signs of poor oral hygiene, make an appointment with us as soon as possible because dental hygiene issues in kids can lead to more serious problems in their teen and adult lives. For more information or to make an appointment, call us at (425) 329-6267!