Tackling Your Dental Treatment Plan

Good dental hygiene should start at an early age. If you child is resistant to brushing and flossing, there are a few ways you can help to make them more comfortable with keeping their teeth clean. Here are three tips to help you promote good dental health habits in children.

Choose Flavors and Brushes Meant for Kids

The more enjoyable dental hygiene is for your children, the more likely they will do it regularly. Children often dislike the taste of toothpastes meant for adults. Depending on the age of your child, adult toothpaste may even be dangerous if they swallow too much while brushing. Let your child choose a flavor of children's toothpaste that they will enjoy so they will look forward to brushing.

Another way to get your child interested in brushing is to find a toothbrush with their favorite characters on it. You can let your child choose their own toothbrush, or you can take note of the cartoons that your child watches and surprise them with a toothbrush so that they will be especially excited to use it.

Brush and Floss With Your Kids

One of the most important ways that children learn is by imitating their parents. Getting in the routine of brushing and flossing with your child will turn it into a bonding experience to look forward to. You can start this habit early by helping your child brush and floss their own teeth if their motor skills have not yet developed enough for them to do it on their own.

Use Positive Reinforcement

In stressful moments when your child is absolutely refusing to brush their teeth, it can be tempting to warn them about tooth decay and other problems that can arise from poor dental hygiene. Unfortunately, this will often do nothing but increase your child's anxiety about the topic of brushing and going to the dentist.

Instead of threatening your child with the dangers of not brushing and flossing, you should adopt a positive reinforcement strategy. Brush and floss with your child early, and reward them with an activity such as watching one more cartoon before bedtime. This will reinforce the idea in your child's mind that good dental hygiene yields positive results.

With the right attitude and an understanding of your child's point of view, it can be easier to instill good dental hygiene habits at an early age that will last a lifetime.

For other ideas, contact a dentist, such as James V Bachman DMD.