Proper oral hygiene and tooth brushing habits can be hard to instill in children, but explaining tooth decay can be a helpful step toward getting kids on the right track. With the experienced pediatric dentists at Pedodontic Associates, serving families in Honolulu, Central Oahu, and Maui, children can learn the basics of dental care and proper brushing techniques they can follow for the rest of their lives.

Explaining Tooth Decay

Tooth decay may seem like an abstract idea to young children, but it’s necessary for a big picture understanding of oral health. After all, they can’t see the impact of not brushing and flossing until a cavity develops and it’s too late. Simple explanations, involving illustrations or a diagram, can help to show how tooth decay develops. Avoid overly technical terminology that can be confusing, and create a character, such as a “sugar bug,” that represents how a hole develops in a tooth from poor dental care. Brushing and flossing away those sugar bugs will keep the teeth healthy. The children’s dentists at Pedodontic Associates have a “Kids’ Zone” on their website with activity sheets you can print out to help illustrate lessons for little ones. If your kids are older, you may want to involve more terminology and show pictures of healthy versus unhealthy teeth for an eye-opening visual.

The Importance Of Brushing Teeth

Younger children likely will need to be reminded to brush their teeth daily, and they may need some assistance or supervision to make sure they’re using proper techniques and brushing long enough. Make a game out of brushing to make the process more fun. Older children may rush through this task because they don’t want to take the time—to encourage them to brush for at least two minutes per session, leave a radio in the bathroom. The average pop song is long enough to give them a basic guideline, and they might enjoy brushing more if they can listen to their favorite music at the same time. For all children, regardless of age, it’s helpful to use a timer or hourglass. Most pediatric dentists suggest brushing at least twice a day at consistent times to help your kids form a lifelong routine. 

With over 25 years of experience, the pediatric dentists at Pedodontic Associates will provide gentle care for children. To schedule an appointment in Aiea, call (808) 487-7933; if you are located in Honolulu, call (808) 735-1733; or for an appointment with a pediatric dentist in Kahului, call (808) 877-0066. Additionally, you can visit them online for more information about dental care.