Children mirror all behaviour of their parents, and this applies to the way they take care of their teeth. Parents who wish to instil proper oral care habits in their children would do well to remember this. You, therefore, have to start by practising good oral hygiene habits on your own. Your child has to see you brushing your teeth at least twice a day, which is mostly when you wake up and before you go to bed. In addition, you should also floss your teeth at least once a day in order to remove accumulated food particles.
You can also get professional help to teach your children good oral hygiene habits. At Oxford Family Dental we see a lot of young patients who are brought by their parents so that they can learn the basics of good oral care from an expert. Dr Gurinder Chahal teaches them how to brush their teeth correctly and also demonstrates the correct technique of flossing in between teeth. Knowing the right technique is essential because this removes all debris without damaging the enamel covering of the tooth or the gums. Oxford Family Dental also makes it a point to counsel the kids about the importance of proper oral care and its ability to keep teeth free of cavities. These sessions are offered in an atmosphere of fun and kids are therefore very receptive to them. In fact, many parents prefer to bring their kids to us to learn about the importance of oral care as well as the best way to do it because the lessons have a lasting impact on them.
The earlier children learn about taking good care of their teeth the better it is for them. Make sure that you make the process fun for them by rewarding them when they clean their teeth well. You can help them keep tabs on it by preparing a chart that they have to fill out whenever they brush or floss their teeth. You can also buy them kid-friendly oral care products in order to make it even more interesting for them to keep their teeth clean. The efforts you take to teach your children the best way to take care of their teeth will be amply rewarded when they have fewer dental problems later on. For more information, contact our dental office today!