9 Fun Ways to Teach Kids about Good Oral Health

Unfortunately, most people underrate good oral health until they experience a problem. In children, poor oral health is to blame for more than 51 million hours of missed class time each year. This can hurt their future success, oral health, and overall well-being.

Fortunately, you can preserve your child’s oral health and prevent future problems by teaching them how to keep their mouth and smile healthy and beautiful. In this article, we’ve outlined nine child dental care tips to help kids learn about their oral health in an exciting and motivating way.

Tips to Teach Kids About Oral Health

• Be a role model and brush together

Making tooth brushing a parent-child thing will make your child look forward to the activity. Children learn by imitating anything from brushing their teeth to walking to eating. Therefore, they will enjoy it if you brush your teeth together. They will likely refuse or get bored if you ask them to brush themselves.

Brushing together will allow you to teach them how to brush correctly and why it’s essential. If the child is too young, help them brush their teeth until they are old enough to do it independently.

• Give them a special toothbrush

Getting your child a special tooth-friendly toothbrush is one of the best ways to get your child to brush their teeth. You can go to the store and have them select a kid’s toothbrush that they like.

It will make them excited and look forward to using it. Ensure the toothbrush is small enough to put in the mouth and hold comfortably. Most importantly, ensure it is soft-bristled to avoid hurting their gums or teeth when brushing. Replace the brush after 3 – 4 months.

• Read a book about dental health

Most kids would rather play than sit and listen to you talking about dental health. However, reading a dental health book together during bedtime can make them interested and motivated to practice proper oral health habits. Child-friendly dental books include The Tooth Book by Edward Miller, Superbug Doug by Dr. Ben Magleby, and Brush Your Teeth Please by Jean Pidgeon.

• Watch videos

While you should limit your child’s screen time, you can take advantage of the allocated screen time by showing them videos or cartoons about dental health. Make sure the videos are short and fun to keep them hooked, like when watching Baby Shark.

• Tell them interesting stories

Most children and adults avoid going to the dentist for fear of pain or discomfort. Unfortunately, that only increases their risk of serious oral problems. Talking to them about the importance of pediatric dental care positively and interestingly will make them cooperate better about pediatric dental visits.

Telling exciting and creative stories about brushing their teeth and oral health will motivate them to practice proper oral health habits.

• Have rewards

Children are motivated when they know you’ll reward them for doing something. For instance, you can promise to take them for a treat or buy their favorite toy if they brush their teeth daily for a month. Have a decorated poster and have them put a sticker on the poster every time they brush their teeth.

• Use a model mouth

Using a store-bought or DIY model of a mouth is a great way to teach your child how to brush their teeth. You can put clay on the model’s teeth and gums and then show the child how to brush and floss it properly. Also, use the model to show them what will happen if they don’t clean their mouth daily.

• Use music

Having your child listen to their favorite songs when brushing their teeth will make them look forward to the activity. You can join the child in brushing and dancing along to make it even more fun.

• Find a child-friendly family dentist

Once in a while, you’ll need to take your child to the dentist for routine dental check-ups and cleanings. Taking them to a friendly and fun pediatric dentist in Dover will keep them comfortable during dental appointments and motivate them to look forward to their next appointments. Unlike a general dentist, a pediatric dentist has training and expertise in teaching dental hygiene to preschoolers and teenagers.

Schedule an Appointment Today With Our Dentist in Dover, NH

Do you need more information about Children’s Dentistry in Dover, NH? Schedule a dentist at Belknap Dental Associates to speak with our dentist near you.