A big part of parenting is simply getting your kids to have healthy habits. At Children’s Dental Center, we understand how much of a challenge this can be. So today, we’ll be answering this question: What can I do to establish a positive dental routine for my child?
An Ideal Routine
What do healthy oral habits look like? This is a combination of daily practices, or dental treatments as recommended by Dr. Rowland, Dr. Selecman, Dr. Daniel, Dr. Greene, or Dr. Church.
- Brushing Twice Daily: We recommend kids brush their teeth twice a day, in the morning and before they go to bed. It’s important to use a soft-bristled toothbrush made for a child, and to teach your kiddo to brush for at least two minutes. This also means cleaning all surfaces of their teeth—front, back, and chewing surfaces.
- Flossing Once Daily: Flossing should begin as soon as your child has enough teeth next to each other. You can help your child lightly floss between their teeth to get rid of food particles and plaque that their toothbrush might miss. Floss picks can be a handy tool for kids to use.
- Healthy Eating Habits: There are a lot of sugary snacks that can be especially bad for children’s teeth. In moderation and with good hygiene, these foods can be okay. We recommend water or milk instead of soda or sugary juices, and to opt for fruits, vegetables, cheese, and nuts that help to provide healthy teeth and gums.
- Regular Dental Checkups: Dental checkups should be scheduled every six months, or as recommended by your child’s provider at Children’s Dental Center. Your visits with our team allow us to monitor your child’s overall oral health, do thorough cleanings, spot potential issues early enough to intercept, and provide other means of preventative care.
- Encourage Regular Drinking of Water: Making sure kids drink water all throughout the day allows them to wash away food particles and bacteria, which maintains their oral hygiene.
- Fluoride Treatments: Fluoride is a substance we talk about a lot. It strengthens the tooth enamel, which makes it resistant to decay. For this reason, make sure your child’s toothpaste always contains fluoride. We also can apply fluoride treatments during dental visits as an extra protective measure.
- Sealants: Dental sealants are an additional protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where cavities have a tendency to form and hide away. We use sealants for children as soon as their permanent molars erupt.
Making Good Habits Excellent
Once you have a routine, the challenge is to keep it in place and make it effective. Here are some tips for setting good habits in stone!
- Start Early: If you can, gently clean your baby’s gums even before their first teeth appear, using a soft, damp cloth. A toothbrush can be introduced once a tooth appears. The goal is that eventually, brushing and flossing are a regular, non-negotiable part of their day.
- Be a Role Model: Brushing and flossing as a family activity can be a great idea since it shows them that you’re taking initiative, too. Doing so with a positive attitude is also key.
- Brushing Charts: Create or download a special brushing chart that shows your child their brushing and flossing progress each day. This kind of visual aid can serve as a healthy reminder and motivation.
- Interactive Apps: One perk of this era is having access to apps designed for kids with the intent of making brushing and flossing fun. We recommend these apps, which have interactive characters, mini-games, and other progress-tracking methods to keep your kids engaged.
- Use Positive Reinforcement: It’s important to praise your children when they do something right—even if they need a little help. This positive reinforcement encourages them to keep up the good work! Consider a little reward chart where your kids can earn stickers, snacks, or other small rewards for proper brushing and flossing.
- Create a Routine That Fits Your Child’s Schedule: Find as consistent of a time table as possible for integrating brushing and flossing into their daily routine. This can usually be after breakfast and before bedtime. But sticking to this schedule is key in establishing an effective routine.
- Be Patient and Persistent: At Children’s Dental Center, we know that developing habits take time. We encourage our parents to be patient with reinforcing these routines. If your child resists, continue to try and brainstorm different approaches—we can help you with that part!
Laying a Foundation
We want to remind you that this challenge is universal for parents and their families. It’s a big part of what we do to help guide you when things get hard with your child’s dental care. But remember, you got this! Contact either of our Children’s Dental Center teams in Arlington, Collierville, or Midtown.