As a young mother, I was reasonably ignorant when raising my firstborn. My biggest regret is that I didn't help her take better care of her teeth. Like many people, I didn't realise the importance of baby teeth, resulting in long-term dental problems. Recently, my daughter got married and some of my tears were for the beautiful, glistening smile she presented to the cameras. Ever since I realised the dental damage I had caused, I had been saving for my daughter to have cosmetic dentistry. The results are remarkable. During the course of this journey, I have learnt a lot about caring for children's teeth and corrective procedures that can be undertaken when issues arise. I am sure many of you would be interested in the latest knowledge and techniques that are available to prevent and repair dental complications. I'm Margret Devlin - thanks for visiting.
Oral health and hygiene are really important, and it can feel frustrating when your child has a bad attitude towards it or simply doesn't take it seriously. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to change the situation, from changing your dentist to making brushing more fun.
Visit a Children's Dentist
One of the simplest ways to improve your child's oral health is to register the whole family at a family dental practice with a dedicated children's dentist. An expert in children's dentistry will know exactly what to look for in children's teeth and will be able to catch problems early and give you advice. They will also be good at explaining dental health to children in a way they can understand and empowering them to ask questions. Finally, family practices tend to be more welcoming and fun for children to visit, making them less likely to feel fear.
Model Positive Behavior
Changing your child's attitude toward oral health might be as simple as changing the way you act around them. For example, do you ever complain about having to go to the dentist or about needing to floss? Try making your behaviour more positive. For example, speak about the dentist in an upbeat tone, and emphasise how important it is to take control of oral health. Let your children see you brushing your teeth so they see it's a vital part of our daily routine. If you aren't sure how you should be brushing or how to model good behaviour, ask your dentist for advice.
Make Oral Care Fun
Finally, some children just find brushing their teeth boring or difficult. Luckily, there are ways to make brushing more fun. Pathways have some good suggestions, from picking a musical toothbrush to making the process into a game. You can also choose a toothpaste that your child likes or pick a special song to play while they brush. You might need to try a few different tactics to find something that works for your child. You might also want to think about how brushing fits into your morning and evening routine. If you're always calling your child away from playing or doing something fun to brush their teeth, it's natural that they'll find it boring.
By registering your child with a children's dentist, modelling great behaviour and a positive attitude and trying to make brushing more fun, you can improve your child's oral health while also changing the way they think about their oral hygiene.
Contact a children's dentistry clinic to learn more.
Share3 May 2023
