Just like with anything, the sooner your child gets into a good habit, the easier and better your life will be— specifically when it comes to dental hygiene. However, sometimes things are a lot easier said than done, especially when it comes to getting your little one to take good care of their teeth. From getting them in the habit of drinking a lot of water to brushing their teeth both morning and night, this article will discuss a few ways you can instill good dental hygiene habits in your young kids.
- Get The to Drink a Lot of Water
Getting your child to eat a full meal— especially if they’re a toddler— can seem virtually impossible and getting them to drink a lot of water can sometimes seem that much more unattainable. However, by encouraging your child to drink more water throughout the day, their body will not only start to feel better and more energized, but their teeth will stay more clean as well. Water encourages your mouth’s natural production of saliva which helps to continuously wash away any plaque or tartar that may be building up on your teeth. But how can you get your child to drink more water? Set a timer on your phone and around every 45-60 minutes, have your child take a break from playing in order to take a drink or two of water. - Say No to Sweets
This is a big challenge for parents everywhere but in a nation that consumes far more sugar than our bodies need, getting your child to say no to sweets can help protect their body against diseases like diabetes and their mouths against things like cavities.
As a good suggestion, try to limit your family’s consumption of sugar throughout the week by not putting any sugary sweets in lunches and changing after-dinner dessert to something like yogurt and berries rather than cookies or cake. Additionally, you can encourage your child to say no to candy and sweets at school and reward them with a yummy treat during the weekend when you’re together as a family.
- Enforce Regular Brushing
As the most important way that your kids teeth can stay healthy, brushing their teeth both morning and night is a big lifesaver. And as mentioned above, the sooner you get them into the habit, the easier it will be down the line. As part of both their morning and bedtime routine, get your child into the habit of brushing their teeth for at least one minute.
Raising children with good habits isn’t an easy feet. However, by getting started young, you can help protect your child’s teeth from dental decay. To learn more about pediatric dentistry, contact Centennial Dental Center today!
