Dental care for children starts when you clean their gums during infancy and must continue throughout their lives to ensure radiant, healthy smiles. Below, review oral hygiene tips dentists recommend to parents to help their kids understand dental health. The right tactics make the learning process fun rather than a chore.

How to Encourage Excellent Oral Health in Children

1. Brush & Floss Together

Put on a tooth brushing song or any favorite tune to brush and floss together. If your kids see you and your partner getting excited about oral hygiene, they will be too. Provide a strong example by gently brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled brush twice a day for two minutes and flossing once daily. Help them brush and floss until they learn both actions.

2. Let Them Choose Toothbrush & Paste

Allow your little ones to select their toothbrush and toothpaste, so they don’t feel like you are forcing them into oral hygiene activities. The section of dental care for kids has many colorful options that feature popular characters on the packaging. This encourages dental care enthusiasm and diligence.

3. Attend A Family Dentistry Center

Discuss with your kids about the expectations from their initial visits to the dentist, and reassure them that you will be there the whole time. Consider reading books about the subject when they’re young, and schedule appointments with a family practice. Family dentists work with patients of all ages to help with their oral health.

4. Find Fun Dental-Themed Activities

If your children like art, print coloring pages for them to enjoy, such as those featuring animals brushing and flossing. If your children are currently losing their baby teeth, consider making tooth fairy pillows together. By keeping the activities exciting and engaging, the kids will look forward to oral hygiene.

5. Provide Mouth-Friendly Snacks

Save sweet treats for special occasions and provide snacks that naturally scrape plaque from teeth and help fortify enamel, such as apple slices, celery and carrot sticks, leafy greens, and dairy products. Also, provide water over sugary beverages that promote decay.

Schedule your children’s next cleanings and checkups with Patrick T. Hunter, DDS. He has been serving residents throughout the North Dayton and Englewood, OH, areas for the last 19 years. A second-generation dentist, Dr. Hunter offers general and cosmetic services for the whole family. Call (937) 890-8957 today to make appointments or review his services online.