Tips for Teaching Your Child About Good Oral Hygiene

Last updated 1 year ago

Parents are responsible for every aspect of their children’s well-being, from infancy to adulthood. Part of that well-being is ensuring good oral hygiene habits. Your children’s dentist is a crucial ally on your journey to instill oral health awareness in your child, but the most important steps you can take to achieve that goal occur right at home. Here are some tips to get you started:

Start Early. Everyone is a creature of habit, especially children. Good oral hygiene starts in infancy, when parents make it a point to wipe their child’s gums with a damp washcloth on a daily basis. When teeth begin erupting, it is important to start brushing with a soft-bristled brush designed for infants. If oral hygiene is something your child practices from the beginning, it won’t become a major struggle later.
Educate. Talk to your child about why we brush our teeth and how important it is to prevent cavities. A good time to do this is while your child is brushing, as it helps them to associate meaning with the activity. Always be sure to use language that is appropriate to the age of your child and speak in terms that he or she can understand.
Encourage. Praise your child for doing a good job with his or her brushing and flossing, and provide positive reinforcement when the job is less than complete. Offer support and encouragement when it comes to visiting the children’s dentist, and reassure your child that it is a normal and necessary part of staying healthy.
Model. All of the talk in the world will not be enough to counteract different behaviors that you model. Take charge of your own oral hygiene and let your child witness it. Speak positively about your own trips to the family dentist and your child will be more likely to embrace the idea of seeing the children’s dentist.

If you are looking for an outstanding children’s dentist in Mount Kisco, contact Stuart Feurstein, DMD. Call our office at (914) 752-4239 to schedule an appointment for your child.