Educating our friends and families about healthy dental habits is very important to us – especially this month. Teaching healthy habits to youth is hugely beneficial; tooth decay is the most prevalent chronic disease among children and teens age 6-19. In fact, Dental Health Month began 77 years ago as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio with the aim to educate parents about their children’s dental health.
To help you out, Gilchrist Dental Care is celebrating Dental Health Month by offering free exams and x-rays all month long! Call us at 715-344-5280 to schedule your appointment.
So, how do you begin to teach healthy habits to your children? We’ve put together a list of 5 tips to get you started:
5 Tips to Educate Your Children During Dental Health Month
1. Make Brushing Fun!
Let’s face it: Brushing your teeth isn’t very fun. However, singing songs never fails to make tasks more fun for kids! Here are 7 great songs to make brushing more fun!2. Don’t Underestimate Baby Teeth
A common mistake is thinking that baby teeth and how you take care of them doesn’t matter. Baby teeth help develop normal speech and chewing abilities. They also control the growth pattern of the face and make room for adult teeth. If baby teeth are not taken care of, all of these things can be thrown out of whack, causing lifelong dental issues.
The last thing to remember is to take things slow and easy. Like all good habits, brushing and flossing properly won’t happen overnight, it can take some time to solidify good habits, so be patient!
3. Teach the Right Techniques
Teaching proper brushing and flossing techniques is critical! If you do a poor job of brushing and/or flossing your teeth (even if you brush every day) you’re sure to experience dental issues. Educate children early on about the importance of good dental hygiene. For proper brushing and flossing techniques, click here.4. Teach Good Nutrition
We often forget that what we eat not only affects our overall health, but it also directly affects our teeth. It’s very important to talk to your kids about good nutrition, the damage sugary treats can do, and that when they do indulge, brushing teeth afterward will help keep cavities away.5. Set a Good Example
Perhaps the most important thing to remember as you teach your children about dental health is that you need to be a good role model. Children take in what is around them and learn from example, so if your kids see you brushing and flossing your teeth, they’re more likely to do the same.The last thing to remember is to take things slow and easy. Like all good habits, brushing and flossing properly won’t happen overnight, it can take some time to solidify good habits, so be patient!
