Oral hygiene is very important for kids because it protects kids from dental cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. However, the majority of children find brushing boring, difficult, or unappealing. How can parents and other caregivers make brushing interesting and facilitate the practice of good oral hygiene habits? These are some of the creative and effective ways of teaching kids about oral hygiene, consisting of games, products, and techniques that will turn the activity of brushing into a pleasure.
- Use a stopwatch or play music. Children of all ages need to brush their teeth for at least 2 minutes in the morning and before they go to bed. To make sure they keep track of time, you should use a timer or a song that branches off after two minutes. Also, you can allow them to pick a song that they like or the music genre they prefer and that way it will be more fun. Some brushes have timers or music players that can be built in to make brushing more enjoyable.
- It's fun to play. Children are fond of playing, so why don't we turn the process of brushing into gameplay? You can also create a brushing chart, and reward them for each day they do it with stickers or stars. Likewise, you can also have them practice brushing properly all corners of the mouth, such as the front, back, top, and bottom. Using a color-changing toothpaste or disclosing tablet will allow you to reveal the spots they missed and the ones they brushed well. Besides that, you can pretend that they are superheroes or princesses who are going to fight the bad bacteria or plaque monsters in their mouths.
- Use fun products. Often, kids would prefer to brush their teeth if they use the products that are designed especially for them. They can pick the toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss that they wish in colors, characters, or tastes. Also, you can search for items with special features like electric toothbrushes that vibrate or lighten up, toothpastes that shine, or flossers that have fun shapes or colors.
- Brush together. Among the most effective methods of showing children how to care for their oral hygiene is by setting a good example yourself. You and your children can brush your teeth simultaneously, and show them how to do it correctly. You can also develop family activities and involve other siblings or relatives. You can also communicate with them about why oral hygiene is important and how it affects their health and appearance. You can also appreciate them for the work well done and provide them with positive feedback.
- Have regular dental visits. Yet another method of enlightening the children about oral hygiene is to go to the dentist often. The dentist will do a checkup of their teeth and gums for any problems and then provide them with professional teeth cleaning and fluoride treatment. The dentist can also teach them how they should look after their teeth and respond to any questions they may have. Additionally, you should search for a dentist that deals with children and has a child-friendly office with toys books, or videos for kids.
By doing this, you can ensure that brushing becomes a fun and painless activity for your children. Also, teach them the basic hygiene practices they can use throughout their lives. You may be searching for a paediatric dental clinic that offers good dental services for kids.
You're most welcome to explore Signature Dental, which is located in South Perth and offers services that include General Dentistry, Children Dentistry, Emergency Dentistry, Teeth whitening, and so on. The main priority of Signature Dental is to provide a stress-free, friendly environment for both you and your children during their dental visits. Call now to book a consultation at (08) 9474 4750.
