If you’re you’re introducing your child to the world of dentistry and oral health, and you want to make sure that they develop a good oral hygiene routine, it can be difficult to know where to start. The team at Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is here to support you in your efforts because we want you and your family to thrive. Here are some of our top tips for getting your child excited about their oral health:
Kids love being in control and getting to make decisions, so we recommend letting your kids choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste! There are a lot of fun, colorful, themed brushes out there, and if your child loves their toothbrush, they’re much more likely to love brushing their teeth. Let your little one choose their toothpaste, too. You may be used to mint, but your child can try out flavors like bubblegum and strawberry!
Until your little one is old enough to tie their shoes (usually at the age of 6-8), you’ll need to brush their teeth for them. Even when your child gets a little older, you should still make brushing a family activity to make sure that they’re brushing for at least 2 minutes and using proper technique. Brushing together allows you to lead by example and shows your kids that you take your oral health seriously. There are other ways to make brushing fun, too! Come up with a dance or a song, or find some other way to make brushing exciting for your kids!
You could create a system using gold stars, and put a sticker on the calendar for each day you see your child brush and floss properly. Then, once they get to a full month of gold stars, let them have a special reward: a new toy, or tickets to a movie they want to see, for example.
Seeing the dentist can make kids nervous, and it can be difficult if your child is hesitant. So reward them for a successful dentist’s visit! At Sea Of Smiles, we will work with you to reward your child for being brave during their appointment, and we offer toys and prizes to ensure that your little ones leaves with a smile.
Children love learning and they love fun videos! Look up child-friendly videos about dentistry, learn more about tooth decay and oral health, and help your child stay informed about why brushing their teeth is so important. This creates a great opportunity for your child to ask questions about their teeth, and get more interested in oral hygiene.
If you need more help with extra tips, or you’d like to schedule a six-month checkup or cleaning for your child, Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is here to help. With convenient locations in Yardley, Bensalem and Warrington, you and your kids can get the dental care you need from Dr. Mukund Patel and Dr. Raj Patel. Contact us now at (267) 392-5878 to get started.