Teaching kids the importance of proper oral hygiene is, well… important. Despite a lot of dental clinics that continue to provide services and treatments during the pandemic, not a lot of people are fully confident yet and would just rather stay home and just do their best to take care of their teeth.
Almost everyone knows that tooth decay is the number one kids’ dental problem; Statistically, 10% of two-year-olds already have cavities. The number goes higher up to 28% at three years old. By the time they turn 5 years, 50% of kids in the U.S. already suffer from cavities.
Most parents think that it’s okay for babies and toddlers to have cavities since they will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth. This couldn’t be more wrong as tooth decay in babies can have adverse effects on their permanent teeth which will lead to worse dental problems.
Teaching kids how to take good care of their oral health at a young age will serve them well in the long run. Here are some fun and engaging ways to educate children about the importance of proper oral hygiene:
- Brush and floss as a family
One of the reasons why kids don’t like to brush is it’s such a chore to do. They’ll feel differently about it if you know how to make it fun and worth their while. And one of the best ways to do it is to brush and floss your teeth together as a family. Turning it into a family activity makes it truly fun for kids.
- Have a surprise incentive after a visit to the dentist
Before anything else, parents need to educate their kids about what a reputable dentist for childrendoes. Dentists should not be used as some sort of boogeyman to scare or threaten children with.
Present a dentist as one of a child’s best friends to make kids feel more at ease during visits. Take it up a notch and surprise them with a fun activity or treat after a dentist appointment. Make them be excited to see their dentist.
- Read storybooks about oral hygiene and healthy teeth
There are plenty of available good storybooks that teach kids important and practical life lessons, including how to take care of their teeth. Look for a few of these books and read them to your kids or have them read the books. This will help them see the value of taking good care of their teeth in a language they can easily understand.
- Give each child his or her own special toothbrush and toothpaste
Brushing is more fun if you’re using something fun and unique to brush your teeth with. Kids’ toothbrushes often come in different colors, themes, and other fun features. Pick out a Superman or Pickachu toothbrush or whatever character or theme they like. This will make them look forward to brushing their teeth.
Similarly, kiddie toothpaste comes in fun flavors. Kids enjoy brushing their teeth and tasting strawberries or grapes instead of strong mint.
- Pick a fun song to brush along to
The American Dental Association, or ADA, recommends brushing teeth for two minutes twice a day. This ensures that all the plaque and food residue are removed and your teeth and gums are thoroughly cleaned. To make sure that you and your child are brushing your teeth for at least two minutes, pick a fun song to brush along to that’s about two minutes long.
- Watch fun videos about oral health
You can easily go online to look for fun and entertaining educational videos for your kids that teach about the importance of oral health. After the video, you can talk about what they learned or what stood out for them and how they can apply it to their regimen.
- Put a reward system in place
Sometimes you need to give kids a few incentives to get them to do something they’re not inclined to, like brushing teeth. Set up a gold star or reward system to motivate and inspire them to do what needs to be done.
- Wait for the Tooth Fairy’s visit
Lastly, let kids be kids. If they believe in the Tooth Fairy, let them. You can even use that to your advantage to teach them about proper oral hygiene.
Proper dental care learned and instilled at a young age will become good habits that will help kids stay healthy as they grow up. It will save them from unnecessary pain caused by tooth decay and other oral problems. Do your children a favor and help them build good dental habits while they’re young.
