It’s a New Year, and with a new year comes, for many of our kids, new teeth! February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and whether you’re a new parent or a veteran, getting your child to embrace their inner dental hygienist each day can be a challenge. Aside from a healthy diet and regular trips to the dentist, it’s all about getting them to embrace the habit!
GET OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT TO WELLNESS
According to the Center for Disease Control and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, 20% of children will have at least one cavity by age 5 and 52% by age 8. While it’s obvious to most that things like regular brushing help protect against tooth decay and other oral maladies, there is also a strong link between oral health and important developmental milestones. Kids with healthy teeth have an easier time learning proper speech articulation in their primary years, and the development of structural pathways for adult teeth is directly related to the proper care and maintenance of baby teeth throughout their lifecycle.
BUT MY KID HATES BRUSHING!
Brushing teeth is one of those things that many kids just don’t like to do. The cause can be a variety of factors, from sensitivity to brush bristles and water temperature to fine motor difficulty in manipulating the toothbrush. While the hurdles can change over time, a little creativity can go a long way.
Try some of the suggestions below to help your kiddo get into the habit of good oral care.
1. Routine is Everything. Like so many things relating to child development, making tooth time part of their daily routine promotes a fundamental feeling of safety and comfort, even if the activity itself isn’t exactly a…favorite. Making sure that brushing has the same place (and time, if possible) in their morning and evening routine will help your child accept it as part of their day. Modeling this yourself – brushing with them or brushing first – can help them understand that tooth care is something that everyone does as part of daily life.
2. Let Them Practice. If your child is too young to brush their own teeth, there’s no reason they can’t practice! While you brush, have them practice brushing on their favorite stuffed animal. This can help them master the tricky circular movement patterns associated with healthy brushing without consequence.
3. Too Hot, Too Cold, Just Right. If your child resists brushing, the problem could be discomfort. Try a toothbrush with softer bristles (your dentist can help you here), and adjust the water to a slightly lukewarm temperature instead of cold. Children’s gums, especially young ones, are more sensitive than normal to colder temperatures, especially when multiple teeth are erupting.
4. Make It Visual. Things like a clock, countdown, or some sort of visual assist can really help kids learn the proper amount of time to brush(two minutes twice a day for kids with most of their teeth). A friend of mine found a great solution in the form of a small hourglass – his son went from trying to escape the bathroom after 20 seconds to easily brushing for over two minutes while happily watching the sand drain through the glass.
5. Rock Out! Many kid’s songs are (thankfully) short, so load up a playlist of your child’s favorites and let them choose one to listen to while they brush. By the time the song is done they should be, too. It’s a great way to turn them on to your tastes in music, too. A coworker likes to flip a coin with his daughter to see who gets to choose the day’s song.
While brushing may not ever be a source of pulse-pounding excitement for your child, regular oral maintenance will help them reap the benefits of a healthy to start to their formative years.
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