All dentists do their best to make your children's dental experience positive. But it is impossible without parents' involvement. A successful outcome of the treatment of dental issues is also impacted by the parent's involvement. Without proper attention at home, the children are likely to ignore oral hygiene and miss an opportunity to develop good oral habits.
Below are 4 tips that can help you improve your children's oral hygiene and make them visit the dentist's office with pleasure.
1. Use positive motivating methods at homeYour baby cannot motivate itself to practice good oral hygiene. You need to turn the teeth brushing process into a rewarding activity. The children will better respond to your request for good oral habits if you establish rewards for good behavior.
You need to make a dental routine as a fun game at the end of which your baby receives the reward. This can make at-home oral hygiene a more positive experience for your kids and help them build good dental habits.
2. Show a good exampleTo motivate your children to practice good oral habits, you need to be a role model for them. It is important to explain to your children that proper dental hygiene is very important. By making dental cleaning habits a routine, your children can lower the risk of serious dental health problems like tooth decay and tooth sensitivity later in life.
Let your children watch how you brush and floss your teeth every day. Explain to your children what you are doing and why. This is a great way to show your children how to maintain good oral hygiene.
3. Take your children with you to dentist appointmentsIt is important for your children to understand that dental appointment is routine and just a part of life. If your children have questions about the dentist and what to expect, taking them with you to appointments is a good way for them to see and experience it together with you. The more your children are exposed to dental routine, the easier it will be for them to feel relaxed during their appointment.
Be mindful when bringing your children to the dentist with you. If you are going to visit an emergency dentist regarding dental trauma, it is unlikely to be a positive experience for your children. Start with more positive and routine services like professional teeth cleaning.
Learn about brushing your teeth and why in this fun video.
4. Start a dental routine at an early age
It is never too early to start developing a healthy dental routine with your children. As soon as the first tooth appears, you have a chance to teach your children how to take care of the teeth properly. If your baby doesn't have teeth, you may start by wiping baby gums with a warm wet piece of cloth. Do this after feeding to clear away any debris that may be left after the meal. When children become older, start incorporating special toothbrushes and kid's toothpaste in their dental routine
Try to avoid foods that can raise the acidity in the baby's mouth. These foods include sugary products like candy and juice. If your kid develops a taste for sweets as a baby, it will be harder to fight these cravings in adulthood.
It is important to explain to your children that the dentist isn't their enemy but rather a friend. When it comes to pediatric dental care, the key is prevention. Your children need to visit the dental office regularly, to prevent serious dental issues. While most parents think that only premature teeth require dental care, it is important to take care of milk teeth as well. This will help avoid common dental problems later in life.