For some people, February is all about planning out the perfect date for your significant other. But did you know it’s also National Children’s Dental Health Month? This means February is a perfect opportunity for parents to learn about how to implement excellent oral hygiene habits into their child’s life. Keep reading as a children’s dentist in Sparks offers some tips on how to teach these habits to your son or daughter.
Set a Good Example
Kids absolutely love emulating what Mommy and Daddy do. Fortunately, you can use this to your advantage when it comes to teaching them good dental routines. Make sure they see you brushing and flossing every evening. They will naturally want to copy you. Instruct them on how exactly you clean your teeth so that they’ll be able to do it correctly.
Involve Them in the Buying Process
Your child is more likely to engage in brushing and flossing if they had some say in the purchasing process. The next time you bring them to the store, take a detour through the dental section. Let them select a toothbrush featuring their favorite color or cartoon character. Allow them to select kid’s dental floss in their preferred flavor.
Reward Good Oral Hygiene Habits
For every day that your child remembers to brush and floss all on their own, place a sticker on the calendar or a tooth-cleaning chart. Once a certain amount of time, like a week or a month, has passed in which stickers have been awarded every day, treat your little one. Maybe let them select the next fun family outing.
Schedule Regular Checkups and Cleanings
Your son or daughter should see their dentist for kids in Sparks every six months or so. No matter how diligent they are in their daily brushing and flossing, there are spots in their mouth that their little hands are bound to miss. That’s where professional teeth cleanings come in. The dental hygienist can thoroughly clean and polish your child’s pearly whites. They can also apply a topical fluoride treatment or dental sealants to provide a little extra boost of protection against cavities. Your children’s dentist will also examine their mouth for any early signs of cavities and treat them before they result in toothaches.
February might be National Children’s Dental Health Month, but that doesn’t mean you can’t integrate brushing and flossing into your child’s life any day of the year. Follow these tips to get your little one on the right track to having a healthy smile for life!
About the Author
Dr. Marc Thomas is a dentist in Sparks who is more than happy to treat patients of all ages. He graduated from the University of the Pacific with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1993. He served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps before relocating to Vista Dental Care in Sparks, NV. For more advice on how to keep your child’s smile cavity-free, visit Dr. Thomas’ website.