For your child, it is never too early to develop good oral and dental care habits. It is essential for parents to impart knowledge of hygiene in their kids at an early age for it to become a habit. In fact, the quicker they learn, the healthier their teeth and gums will be. You should inculcate healthy dental habits in our kids from the earliest. To make kids understand the importance of dental health, it is essential for parents to follow a thorough dental hygiene as kids learn from what they see. Here are 5 tips for you to develop healthy oral habits in your kids.
Follow a dental care routine
Oral Hygiene is crucial for children. You might know brushing our teeth twice a day is very important for your overall oral health. It is the best way to get rid of germs and food bits stuck in between teeth. But brushing alone is not completely effective. Using a dental floss will help in removing unwanted food particles stuck in the gaps. For children, it is more important because they eat a lot of sugary snacks like candies and desserts. If these particles are not removed, it can build up germs in the mouth causing tooth cavity, bad odour, and weak gums.
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Teach proper oral care techniques
Brushing and flossing are essential to keep the teeth and gums healthy but if not done in the right way, it can actually turn out to be harmful. Children should be taught the correct way to brush and floss their teeth from a very early age so that these habits are inculcated well and right.
Brushing in small, gentle circles instead of vigorously moving the toothbrush back and forth ensures better cleaning and also keeps their teeth safe from over-brushing. It also ensures that there is no bleeding or damage to the gums. Just like brushing, flossing also requires a lot of attention and care. Learning the right techniques will help your children in maintaining a good oral environment.
Use kid-friendly products
An oral care routine can get quite boring for children. To make things interesting, you can give them products that are specially designed to make brushing sessions more fun. Flavored toothpaste and colorful toothbrushes in different shapes can attract your children and make them brush every day. Battery-operated toothbrushes with fun voices is also a great way to teach your kid the importance of brushing and flossing daily. Do not forget to brush infront of your kids as they will never unfollow this habit of they see their parents following the same.
Replace toothbrushes frequently
Toothbrushes are a breeding house of many different kinds of bacteria. To protect your kids from those bacterias, it is necessary to replace their toothbrushes after every three months. Children are more susceptible to infections from these bacteria than adults. Thus, to keep oral infections away, change their toothbrushes at regular intervals. Also, ensure using toothbrushes with soft bristles to avoid gum bleeding.
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Go for regular dental checkups
An expert is the best person to evaluate your child’s dental health. Go for regular checkups to your pediatric dentist to ensure that your kid’s oral health is in perfect shape. Children have a lot of sweet treats. If they do not rinse their mouth well after every meal or brush their teeth twice a day, they can develop infections and tooth cavities. These can only be detected by timely check-ups. So, instead of waiting for a gum bleed or pain in your child’s mouth, you must visit your dentist at least twice a year.
Dental and oral care doesn’t have to be intimidating for your child. Keep it fun and simple for them. Explain to them the need for proper and regular dental care and help them inculcate these habits in their daily routine.
With inputs by Dr. Karishma Jaradi, Head Dental Surgeon and Aesthetic Dentist, Dentzz Dental Care Centres.
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