Many kids think that brushing teeth is fun… for a while. Then the routine becomes a chore that some parents might compare to pulling teeth. Luckily, there are a number of tips and techniques to help your kids remember the importance of teeth cleaning and to develop habits that will protect their dental health. Try these 4 strategies:
1. Use Plaque Revealing Tablets. This can be a fun way to help children understand how (and why) to brush their teeth. This special tablets place stains on the teeth where kids forget to brush, helping young ones see where they’ve missed. The child just swishes around a special liquid to highlight plaque-stained areas. Staining turns brushing into a game!
2. Let your child pick out toothpaste and toothbrushes. Kids need autonomy. When you let your child pick out a new toothpaste flavor or a new toothbrush, he or she will likely stay excited about brushing. Always encourage kids to use the appropriate amount of paste (a pea size).
3. Encourage flossing. It might take a few times for your child to get the hang of it, but flossing can be quite fun for kids — especially when they’re using colorful, animal-shaped flossers (try DenTek Kids Fun Flossers). Plus, flossing constitutes a very important part in building healthy daily habits.
4. Celebrate “Dentist Day.” Make dental check ups a fun experience for your child by building a special day around their dentist appointment. Just make sure to avoid sweets right after a cleaning.
Good dental habits — formed at a young age — can go a long way toward preventing costly dental work later in life. The Delta Dental dentists at Pastel Dental focus on all aspects of dental health. We make sure that dentistry is a positive experience for all young children who visit our San Francisco office. Give us a call today at (415) 831-1999 or book your appointment online with our convenient online scheduling tool.
