As a parent, you lead by example for your kids, and your oral health is no exception. You can teach your child brushing and flossing techniques by letting them watch you brush and floss. You can teach healthy eating habits by sharing fruits and veggies as snacks. You can talk positively about routine dental visits, even if they're not your favorite, so your child has a good outlook and looks forward to them. You can prioritize drinking water for your family over soda or juices.
Making Oral Care Fun at Home
You can also make oral care at home fun. Here's how:
- Let kids choose their tools — Older children might enjoy choosing a toothbrush and their favorite flavor of toothpaste. This can make daily brushing more enticing.
- Set a timer — Time their brushing session with a timer or a song to help them reach the recommended two-minute mark.
- Track their progress — Use a fun sticker chart to track each time they reach their two-minute goal.
- Offer small rewards — Set weekly or monthly goals for reaching their two minutes that get rewarded with a small treat like a pack of sugar-free gum or an ice cream cone.
Encourage Healthy Snacks
Offering your child tooth-friendly snacks for school lunches and after school helps build healthy eating habits for the future. Here are some ideas:
- Fresh fruits — Fruits like apples or pears stimulate saliva production when you chew them, which is a natural tooth protectant.
- Fresh veggies — Veggies like carrots or celery can also help to stimulate saliva.
- Yogurt — Yogurt has calcium, which helps to build and strengthen teeth. Just pick yogurt with less sugar.
- Cheese — Eating cheese boosts saliva and covers your teeth with a film that protects against the acids that cause tooth decay.
Routine visits with your pediatric dentist in Mountain View, CA, also help to protect your child's smile. Contact us if it's time to schedule your child's next dental visit.