How To Promote Dental Health For The Whole Family
Looking after your dental health is imperative, what is more, it is a priority for families with young children. The earlier you can impart the importance of good dental hygiene to children the greater the likelihood of these practices being adopted throughout their lifetime and as part of their development. That said children can often roll their eyes at being forced to brush their teeth and have trepidation over trips to the dentist. To help overcome this and to promote good dental health for the whole family here are some steps to consider.
Brush your teeth together
As an adult, you know that you should brush your teeth thoroughly for at least two minutes in the morning and two minutes at night. Two minutes can however feel like a very long time to children. A great way to help keep them brushing and brushing with intent is to brush your teeth as they brush theirs. Let them watch and learn from you as to exactly how they should be brushing their tooth.
All choose a toothbrush together
When it comes to new toothbrush time make it a family affair. Typically children love buying anything, even if it is a toothbrush. Take them to the shops and let them choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste. If appropriate treat yourself to a new toothbrush and explain to your children why you have opted for that particular brush.
The dentist
The dentist can be a big deal for young children but the earlier you take them to the dentist the easier it is likely to be. If your children visit a dentist from a young age and look after their teeth they will soon learn that there is little to be feared when it comes to dental checkups. Conversely, if your children do not visit a dentist until they are older and may need dental treatments they are likely to be more apprehensive about it, which is something that could stay with them into their adult years.
If you are confident in the dental chair then lead by example and take your children with you for family appointments. Let them see you undergoing your checkup first to help reassure them that there is nothing to be afraid of. Finally, be sure to talk about any dental procedures or treatments you have undergone with your children. If you have had dental implants, tell them about it and explain why. Perhaps you had to have a root canal treatment, again explain why and what your children might be able to do to avoid it. Allow them to be fully informed about procedures so that there is very little left to the imagination. Don’t make the dentist or dental care an unspoken topic, as this can only add to the anxieties children may have around undergoing trips to the dentist.
Avoid excess sugar - as a family
If you want your children to understand the harms of consuming too many sugary substances on your teeth then you too have to limit your intake of these sugary substances. Make conscious swops from fizzy drinks and sugary fruit juices to water or no added sugar alternatives. Reduce the number of sweets, cereals, and spreads that you all eat as a family. Make these lifestyle choices as a family and not something that is imposed on the children in isolation, and be sure to explain the reasoning to them.