We all want our children to have great lives. Being able to chew food comfortably and not end up bogged down with dental costs is part of that. The good news is, when your kids are young, you have great opportunities to protect their future dental health by giving them great habits.

The team at Smile Designers is dedicated to helping parents/guardians and their children maintain great dental health. We believe that you can start dental care training as soon as your child has the ability to hold a toothbrush. In today’s blog, we want to dive into some of the ways you can reinforce great habits in your little ones!

HOW TO INSTILL GREAT DENTAL HABITS IN YOUR CHILDREN

Effective dental habits happen when kids understand both how to take care of their teeth and why it is so important to do so. Here are some strategies for you to consider:

• Create a fun dental chart. Many kids do better when they have steps they can follow on their own so they don’t have to be told what to do. Create a clear, step-by-step chart for dental care. The more involved you can get your child to be in this process, the better. Let your child choose pictures or write out the steps if that is possible. Hang the chart up where it is easily visible at the sink, and remind your child to follow it.
• Teach about the risks. Like we said, it’s a good idea to make sure your kids know the “why” of dental habits as well as the “how.” Once your little ones are big enough to understand, explain concepts like tooth loss, cavities, and gum disease. If they are still too small to understand what cavities are, you can discuss how brushing teeth prevents bad breath and health problems.
• Get your children involved in the process. If there’s one thing kids love, it’s getting to pick out their own toothbrushes. There are many fun types of toothbrushes and toothpaste to choose from, and involving your child in the choice can make a big difference when you get back home and it’s time to brush teeth that evening.
• Get books and TV involved. You can reinforce the habits you’re teaching by bringing in fun books and television programs. Got through this material with your child to help share the “why” of good dental habits.
• Lead by example. Kids are incredibly observant, and as a parent or guardian, you are the focus of their attention. By making sure that you actually practice what you preach, you reinforce the importance of your words. By kid reasoning, if you follow your own instructions, they must be important!

LET US HELP!

When you bring your kids in for regular appointments, you show them how important dental care is. Our team is eager to encourage your children to stick with dental health and build good habits. We will do everything we can to make the dentist an awesome place so your kids are excited to come back. Contact our family dentistry in Longmont today!