Every parent wants the best for their child(ren). As parents, you play a pivotal role in helping your child develop healthy habits. Dr. Mark Berenshteyn of SmileCare Dental of Fitchburg wants to encourage parents to help their children create a lifetime of good oral health.
“We are our children’s first influences,” says Dr. Mark. “Our children take their cues from us. If we want our children to have a lifetime of good oral health, it is important that we model the positive behaviors we want to see in them.”
Here are some ways parents can help their children have healthy smiles for life.
- Be an example. Children first learn by observing, which means if they see their parents modeling good oral health behaviors, they may be more likely to follow in their parent’s footsteps. If your children see you prioritizing your health by brushing, flossing, and maintaining regular dental checkups, they will feel like this is a regular part of life.
- Create routine early. Caring for your child’s smile should begin even before the first tooth appears. Even in infancy, parents can start a routine by gently cleaning the infant’s gums with a clean, soft cloth or infant toothbrush. As soon as the first tooth arrives parents can begin a gentle brushing routine. This helps establish caring for teeth as an expected part of your child’s day.
- Create relationships early on. You should schedule your child’s first dental appointment after the first tooth appears or by the first birthday. By creating an early relationship with a dentist, you can remove apprehension or anxiety about dental visits because these visits will be a regular part of your child’s life.
- Don’t forget the fun. Brushing and flossing don’t have to be monotonous. Let your child pick out his or her own toothbrush in their favorite color or with their favorite character. Choose toothpaste in a flavor they will enjoy. Look for apps or games that can make daily brushing more fun for your child. Disney Magic Timer by Oral B is great for Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars fans. Toothsavers Brushing Game is fairytale themed – your child has two minutes to be a dragon, pirate, or princess who needs to brush away a spell. Brush DJ turns nightly brushing into a dance party.
- Teach proper technique. While your child is still young, it is important for parents to handle brushing and flossing. But as your child grows and takes this responsibility on it is important that they understand proper technique to ensure they thoroughly clean every tooth. Talk to them about brushing in gentle, circular motions and the importance of cleaning every tooth properly.
- You are what you eat. Your smile health, along with your overall health, can be linked to what you eat. Teach your child from an early age the importance of a healthy, balanced diet. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products are important for growing smiles. Sugary foods and drinks should be limited.
- Celebrate healthy smiles. Don’t be afraid to praise your child for taking proper care of their smiles. Positive reinforcement helps build healthy habits. You can even consider some type of reward system for your child. A daily chart where your child can place a sticker for brushing, flossing, or having a healthy snack can go a long way to motivating your child.
- Patience is everything. Building healthy habits can take time. And it’s important to remember that every child is different. So, what works for one child may not motivate another one. As a parent, it is important to keep offering encouragement and guidance and to model healthy habits yourself.
“A healthy smile is a gift that keeps giving,” says Dr. Mark Berenshteyn. “By helping your child develop good oral care habits early, you are setting them up for a lifetime of good oral health. A healthy smile helps us stay confident and healthy, and it’s never too early to start your child on the right path.”
SmileCare Dental of Fitchburg proudly serves patients of all ages and works in conjunction with parents to ensure children are ready for healthy smiles for life. To schedule your child’s first appointment, call 978-345-5563.
