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All parents understand that making boring tasks enjoyable is a great way to handle them with kids. Leslie Street Daycare believes in fostering independence and a love for learning from an early age. Good dental hygiene practices are more likely to be adopted and maintained throughout a person’s life. The sooner you instill good dental hygiene habits, the more they will continue doing so as adults. Here are 8 fun and creative ideas to help your family feel enthusiastic about caring for their teeth.
- Replace old toothbrushes and toothpaste.
You should change your toothbrush every three to four months, especially after being sick. When you go shopping next time, let your kids choose a cool new toothbrush and a different ADA-approved toothpaste flavour. A good idea to make brushing fun for kids is switching between a few different toothbrushes or flavours. This usually gets even the most stubborn kids excited about brushing their teeth.
2. Create a small container garden of tasty smile-friendly foods.
If you and your family have a backyard or even just a tiny balcony, you can try home-grown happiness. Beets, tomatoes, lettuce, beans, and sweet peppers are all fair game. And don’t fret if your outdoor area is limited. Even if you don’t have a garden, you can still produce fresh herbs and baby lettuce in standard flower pots or a basic hydroponics kit.
3. Limit starchy or sweet foods to meal times rather than snacks.
Starchy or sugary foods tend to leave less sugar or starch on the teeth when ingested as part of a large meal than when consumed as a snack. The sugar won’t stick to your teeth if you delay your dessert until after supper. This is because it is more likely that you will clean your teeth right before night.
4. Visit a family-friendly dentist by age one.
Finding the right dentist can greatly affect how you and your kids feel about appointments. Looking for Kingsway Family Dentistry, who likes working with kids is a good idea. You might want to set up a “Happy Visit” where your kids can meet the dentist before any major work needs to be done. It’s generally recommended to keep up with regular checkups for your kids every six months. Starting by their first birthday is ideal, but if your child is even younger and already has a tooth, it’s a great time to get them used to going to the dentist.
5. Help children with brushing and flossing.
Parents should continue to help their children wash their teeth until they are seven or eight. You should continue supervising your child’s toothbrushing routine and check their teeth afterward, even if they are interested in doing it independently earlier.
6. Time toothbrushings with a song.
Brushing your teeth for two minutes is important to keep them healthy and prevent cavities. Sometimes, even adults can accidentally brush for less time if they don’t use a timer. If sand timers aren’t exciting, you can switch things up using music. Just play your child’s favourite song for two minutes to help them keep track of their brushing time. This approach adds an element of fun to the daily dental routine, ensuring that children in Newmarket develop healthy habits from an early age.
7. Use books or cartoons to normalize going to the dentist.
A good way to make dental care a regular part of your kids’ routine is by giving them books about taking care of their teeth that suit their age. You can read these books together and discuss why dental care is important. You could also find episodes of their favourite cartoons where the characters go to the dentist or learn about brushing their teeth. This can help spark a conversation about dental health in a fun and relatable way.
