The best way to keep your teeth healthy is to practice great dental habits. Dental habits need to be taught when a child is young, to help ensure the habit is ingrained in a child. But, as a parent, you may be unsure of how to develop these habits in your child and help to ensure they stick. Keep reading to learn how a pediatric dentistry professional recommends some easy, yet effective ways to help instill great dental habits in your child.
Engage In Great Dental Habits Yourself
A lot of the habits and routines that children learn are taught and reinforced by their parent's activities. As such, one of the best ways to develop great dental habits for your child is to engage and model great habits yourself. Allow your children to watch you brush your teeth and floss your teeth, or make tooth care time a family activity. According to the American Dental Association, you should brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes at least twice a day.
Schedule Dental Appointments For Your Child
Children naturally have a fear of the unknown. So, if you rarely take your child to dental appointments, they may start to become fearful or anxious when they go after a prolonged period of time. Children should see a family or pediatric dentistry professional at least twice a year for optimal dental health and to instill good habits they will stick with as they grow up.
Make Dental Care Fun
The final tip to help develop great dental habits for your kids is to make dental care fun. Purchase fun toothbrushes and children's toothpaste. Read books or watch your child's favorite characters as they practice good dental habits or go to the dentist in cartoons or videos. Reinforcing the importance of dental care while making it fun is a great way to help your child learn new habits.
There are many ways that you can develop great dental habits in your child. Three of the most effective methods include modeling great dental habits yourself, ensuring your child is regularly seen by a pediatric dentistry professional, and making dental care fun. If your child needs to be seen by a pediatric dentistry professional, we are currently accepting new patients. Call Martin Kids Dental today to schedule an appointment.
