Maintaining good oral hygiene starts early. As a parent, you need to do your part to ensure your children practice good dental habits at home. The ADA recommends that children use family dental services by their first birthday. Even with regular dental visits, children need extra guidance until a good oral routine becomes second nature. Here are some tips on how to help your children do so.

1. Find Relevant Books

There are children’s books dealing with teeth and dental care. Check your local library, find ebooks online, or ask your family dental services for recommendations on related literature as well. Your child can practice reading and learning about oral hygiene at the same time.

2. Use Cartoons

Most children love being entertained by cartoons. You may want to check sites like YouTube and other educational sites for cartoon videos that teach kids about oral care and going to the dentist. If children have a cartoon character they can relate to, it may be easier for them to understand the info. In addition to cartoons, look up old educational programming like Sesame Street, which often dealt with these types of topics.

3. Involve Their Toys

Make playtime educational. If your children have dolls or stuffed animals, you can have them practice brushing their toy’s imaginary teeth.

4. Let Them Watch You Brush

There’s no better way to show children proper action than leading by example. Try to brush your teeth together in the morning. Brush your teeth slowly so your children see the correct way to brush and floss.

5. Use Charts and Posters

Take advantage of colorful charts and posters that give instructions on brushing your teeth. You can hang a poster in your bathroom and the kitchen. Hanging one in the kitchen is a good reminder for kids to remember to brush between meals or at least twice a day.

6. Give Prizes

Children love games and prizes. As your children learn to brush and floss, give them stickers and points for remembering to do so. You can have a weekly chart that keeps track of how well your children brush their teeth, and if they remember to do so without you telling them.

It’s never too early to give your little one tips about good dental care. With regular visits to your local family dental services and good practice at home, your child will be on the path to maintaining healthy white teeth. Visit our local dentist today at Mountain View Dentistry.