Smile! Creative Ways to Promote Children’s Dental Health

Support a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles: Tips to Make Your Kids Love Brushing and Flossing

How can parents get kids invested in strong dental habits early in life? As a parent, you know that good early habits can set your child up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. However, you may be wondering how to make dental care exciting and interesting for your little one. At Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Midland Park, we're always thrilled to share ideas to help your family celebrate strong oral hygiene habits from the start!

Make Good Oral Hygiene a Family Affair

As a parent, you're the single biggest influence on your child's relationship with brushing and flossing. Being consistent with your own brushing routine and dental checkups is invaluable for setting a good example and normalizing good oral hygiene. Here are some other tips for helping your child enjoy a healthy, vibrant smile for a lifetime:

• Make Brushing and Flossing Fun: Fitting in twice-daily brushing and flossing doesn't have to feel like a chore! Turn it into your child's favorite daily routine by brushing along to a song that lasts two to three minutes. This will fulfill daily brushing requirements while your child has a great time.
• Take Time for a "Toothy" Snack: One of the most valuable lessons any of us can learn is that certain foods invite cavities and gum disease by encouraging gingivitis to form. Many crackers, cookies, sticky foods, and processed foods are to blame. Teach kids about this using real-world examples by eating tooth-friendly snacks that include apple slices, baby carrots, and celery sticks. In addition, cheeses and yogurt provide calcium and other nutrients that are essential for tooth health and enamel building. Arrange snacks to form a smile or other tooth-themed shapes for extra fun.
• Buy Fun Brushing Tools: The toothbrush aisle is full of exciting choices. Let your little one pick out a toothbrush with their favorite character or theme.
• Make a Reward Chart: Consider an incentive chart that allows your child to earn small rewards if they are consistent with brushing and flossing.
• Read Fun Books: Is your child less than enthusiastic about brushing? We often recommend, "The Tooth Book" by Dr. Seuss or "Brush, Brush, Brush!" by Alicia Padron to help kids get excited about brushing.

Of course, the most important thing any parent can do to set their child up for a lifetime of healthy teeth is to schedule regular dental visits. Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a dentist by their first birthday? If you haven't had a chance to make your child's first dental appointment, getting caught up is easy!

At Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Midland Park, our children's dentist specializes in offering a comfortable, inviting setting where patients ranging from infants and preschoolers to teens can learn about the pride that comes from taking care of their oral health.

Get those healthy habits started as young as possible. Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Midland Park can be your partner in supporting your family's oral health. To learn more about our children’s dentistry services, schedule a dental cleaning and checkup today!