Empower Kids to Care About Teeth Puyallup WA As a parent of a young child, you know how important their health is. This includes the health of their mouth. However, sometimes, getting your kid to brush and floss their teeth can be a battle. At Puyallup Pediatric Dentistry, we can work with you to help empower your child to care for their teeth.Let Your Child Pick Their BrushIf you have ever really taken a look at the toothbrushes designed for kids, you have noticed that there are so many different types. They are available in all kinds of fun, bright colors. Many have popular characters on them. Even if you know your child's favorite color or cartoon character, bring them with you to pick out their toothbrush. By giving them the freedom to choose, they are much more likely to use it. Brush With Your ChildWhen it's time to brush, brush with your child. Show them how to apply the appropriate amount of toothpaste. Then, as you brush your teeth, let them watch how you do it. Watch them as they imitate you to ensure that they are doing so correctly and that they are getting all areas of their teeth. Younger children may need you to go over their teeth when they are finished. A little bit of independence can go a long way. Make the Two Minutes FunWhen your child is brushing their teeth, a task many of them find painfully boring, two minutes can feel like an eternity. Rather than have them stare at a clock, make the two minutes fun. Sing a song. There are several songs about brushing teeth available online, and most are sung in tune to various popular kids' songs. Read a book about brushing teeth as they brush. Brushing books are designed to show kids the importance of the habit. You can also read these books before brushing, so your child can follow along with you. Offer Healthy SnacksCrunchy fruits and vegetables are not only filled with essential vitamins and minerals, but they are also great for scrubbing teeth while they chew. Offer these as snacks when you know your child is hungry. Offering healthy snacks will do more than just help keep teeth healthy. They will also help your child to develop healthy eating habits. Schedule Regular Dental VisitsOral hygiene is more than just brushing and flossing. An important factor in taking care of your child's teeth is regular dental visits for dental cleanings and exams. At Puyallup Pediatric Dentistry, we are trained in working with your child and can speak to them on their level, in a way that they will understand. In doing so, we can help them to understand the importance of keeping their teeth and gums healthy. Encourage your child to ask us questions at their appointments. These can be questions about their teeth, brushing, what we do, or anything about us. We will be more than happy to answer them! Empowering your child to care about their oral health now will set them up for long term success. For more information, or if you have any questions, Puyallup Pediatric Dentistry is here to help. Call us today at (253) 864-9889! |
