Installing Good Oral Hygiene Routines In Your Children

Instilling good oral hygiene routines in your child's day to day is an investment that will save you both money and headache in the future. Oral hygiene seems like a hassle to most kids. "Where's the fun?" They ask. Here are a few tips to get your kids involved in practicing good oral hygiene and have fun while doing so.

1. Let your child pick out his or her own toothbrush and toothpaste. You can even encourage him to choose more than one at the store, and then let him have the choice of deciding which to use each time he brushes his teeth. This will give your child a sense of control over the situation and make him feel more involved in the process. Plus, it never hurts to have spare toothbrushes.
2. Buy your child some books about the importance of tooth brushing, and make a daily routine of reading those books before heading to the bathroom sink each day.
3. Make a game of good dental practices. Have the children in your house keep a chart in the bathroom. Every time they brush their teeth, they get a gold star. Brush as a family. Kids always want to do what mom and dad are doing. A family that brushes together, avoids plaque together.
4. Make a playlist of your child's favorite music, and then let them brush along to the beat. Tell your child he cannot stop brushing until the song finishes, and alternate songs each time your child goes to brush to keep things interesting.
5. Have your child pick out a timer from the store and use that to assist your child in knowing how long to brush. When the timer goes off, it is time to rinse.
6. Create a dental grooming kit for your child similar to daddy's shaving kit or mom's nail kit. Include toothpaste and brushes, floss, mouthwash, and anything else your child wants or needs in the kit. Let your child keep his kit next to parent's in the bathroom.
7. Set a good example by taking good care of your own teeth, and by teaching the importance of good dental hygiene to your children. Children like to mimic adults and feel grown up. If they see you brushing your teeth regularly, they will be more inclined to do the same.

You can use more than one of the above ideas at a time with your child. It is just a matter of finding out what works best for your particular child. Using different methods as your child ages is often a good idea as well.

If you live in the Bloomingdale, Wheaton, and Carol Stream areas, contact Blackman and Bliss DDS at 630-260-0333 or online at www.blackmanandblissdds.com to make an appointment.