Educating your kids about oral health is important. They will begin to implement whatever they are taught at a young age. Many parents are confused as to when they should begin teaching their kids about oral health. Kids can become ignorant if they are not told the importance of maintaining oral hygiene and how ignoring it can lead to premature teeth decaying and erosion.
Keep in mind that oral health does not only include brushing or flossing. It goes beyond the basics. Kids need to know about keeping their mouths clean and maintaining clean teeth. As a teacher or parent, you need to begin talking about this topic before your kids get too old. If you are having troubles explaining it yourself, search for “dentistry for children” to find a good dentist who can educate your kids on the importance of maintaining good oral health.
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When Do I Start?
As a parent, your child’s first trip to the dentist will not be before 2 or 3 years of age, if they do not have any oral issues. This is where you can fall short as you might begin to think that everything is fine inside. Nevertheless, start at a young age.
Oral hygiene should be practiced even before the baby’s teeth begin to appear. Professionals who specialize in dentistry for children have recommended talking about oral health after the child’s birth. Although that is a young age, the parent must reinforce it by the age of six. This is the best age because that is when the kid is beginning to take responsibility.
Start with the Basics
Young children are vulnerable and always eager to learn about new things, which will make this an interesting task for you. Start with brushing teeth, flossing and rinsing the mouth after eating. The earlier you begin to teach, the more they will be prepared to implement these habits.
Begin by telling them the importance. Your child must understand cavities and tooth decay. If they are taught about this early on, they will make sure they can keep good care of their teeth and gums. They might also start educating other kids around them!
Show them visuals of healthy teeth and unhealthy teeth. If the kid witnesses the importance of keeping good care of their mouths, they might just become more responsible. You will have to teach them how to brush and floss properly.
Be a good example for your child. This way, you will make sure you are taking good care of yourself. Tell them how their diet will affect their oral health.
Visiting the Dentist
Going to a dentist is a good initiative as well. This way, your child can get a checkup and you can find out about any oral health problems that your child might be having. Going to the dentist at an early age will allow your child to see the dentist in a positive light. Pediatric dentists are well trained in how to handle kids and make them feel at ease.
When you are doing your “dentists near me” search, make sure that the one you choose specializes in dentistry for children. A good place to take your kids will be Anoka
