You want your children to enjoy a lifetime of oral health. That’s why it’s important to introduce them to oral hygiene early on. With help from a professional kids’ dentist, you can lay the foundation for years of healthy smiles. Brandi Prather DMD PSC offers gentle family dentistry services to patients in Somerset, KY. At their clinic, you’ll find a pediatric dentist who’ll work with you to ensure your children’s teeth remain as healthy as possible. Below, they share some essential points to keep in mind when teaching your kids about dental care.

Kids’ Dentist Shares 3 Tips to Help Promote Dental Hygiene in Children

1. Set an Example

As they grow up, children strive to imitate adult behavior. They play dress-up, play house, and frequently observe their parents, hoping to learn what they can do to be more of an adult. If you openly practice good oral hygiene, your kids will notice. In all areas of health, it’s important for parents to remember that they are role models.

2. Use Media

Young children pick up values from the stories they consume. If they watch a cartoon about a superhero, they’ll want to be one, too. The same goes for dentists. Read books and watch shows which depict oral hygiene and the pediatric dentist as positive influences, and your kids will perceive them that way.

3. Reward Good Behavior

Set goals for your children, like brushing and flossing every day, twice a day, with the condition that they’ll be rewarded if they reach those goals. In the long run, it’s important for them to appreciate the inherent value of quality oral hygiene, but at the start, this can help establish a good pattern of behavior.

Most importantly, choose a kids’ dentist they feel comfortable with. Brandi Prather DMD PSC, in Somerset, KY, will make sure they feel comfortable with the idea of dental care from a young age. To learn more about scheduling an appointment, give them a call at (606) 679-5437.