The month of February is about a whole lot more than just flowers, chocolates, and hurriedly trying to find a date. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it’s also National Children’s Dental Health Month! That means it’s the perfect time to get your child interested in taking good care of their teeth and gums, as well as visiting their dentist in Hamden. Here are a few oral health tips to get your little one excited about their dental care.
Feed Them a Mouth-Healthy Diet
Kids are more likely to engage in a habit, like eating healthily, if they had some input in the buying process. The next time you go grocery shopping, give your child a list of healthy snacks and let them fill up a basket and pay for it at checkout. When you get home, place the snacks in a special box labeled with their name.
It’s also a good idea to prepare healthy snacks ahead of time. Hungry kids don’t want to wait while you chop cheese into cubes or cut up an apple. Instead, make these healthy snacks convenient by having them ready by the time your child’s tummy starts to grumble.
If your little one is going to consume sugary and starchy snacks, like candies, fruit snacks, or potato chips, save it until mealtimes. Saliva production increases when you eat meals, washing away sugar that causes cavities.
Get Them Excited About Brushing and Flossing
Sometimes, getting your child to participate in an oral hygiene regimen can feel like an uphill battle. As mentioned earlier, it will be easier if they are part of the purchasing process. Take them to the dental section of the store and let them pick out a toothbrush featuring their favorite cartoon character. Additionally, allow them to select toothpaste with their favorite flavor, like strawberry or grape. This will make them more likely to look forward to brushing.
It also helps to keep track of their progress. For every day your child remembers to brush and floss, put a smiley-face sticker on the calendar. When a week or month has passed where the calendar is filled with stickers, let your child select a family outing. That way they will associate good oral hygiene with family fun time.
Help Them Look Forward to Seeing Their Dentist
Get your child acclimated to seeing their dentist by taking them in for appointments at a young age. It’s recommended that children begin attending appointments by their first birthday.
As they get older, your child may put up a fight when it comes to dental checkups. It helps to turn the visit into a fun family excursion instead of just an appointment. Take them to the movies or the park before or after their checkup. Additionally, if your son or daughter makes a scene during your appointment, remain calm and let the dentist handle it. They have been specially trained in how to deal with fussy children.
Since it’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, now is a perfectly good time to start implementing good oral health habits into your child’s life. They may resist at first, but with a little patience, they will soon be excellent at taking care of their teeth and gums. For more children’s oral health tips, be sure to visit your dentist in Hamden.
About the Author
Dr. Ronald J. D’Andrea is a graduate of the University of Connecticut’s School of Dental Medicine. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Connecticut State Dental Association, and the American Academy of Clear Aligners. He has also been deemed a Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, which recognizes and celebrates the achievements of outstanding dentists. His practice in Hamden, CT is more than happy to serve the dental needs of your child and offer more advice when it comes to their oral healthcare. To contact his office, call (203) 288-0951.
