Dental care is a critical component of your wellness routine. In fact, according to Delta Dental Institute, 85% of Americans believe it's an extremely important factor in their overall health. And just like you teach your children proper eating and exercise habits, you need to teach them appropriate dental care too. Failure to instill proper hygiene habits can result in serious problems for them later on down the line. To avoid this, you should begin teaching your children the importance of good dental cleaning and care from a very early age.

Habits Start At Home

Family dentists are a great resource, however, good habits start at home. While your dentist will aid you in your lessons and help reinforce what you teach your kids, the bulk of this habit-building will be your responsibility. You need to instill and enforce a daily routine that your kids can follow. This means teaching them proper teeth brushing and flossing, and the importance of regular dentist visits.

Routine Is Essential

Your children must learn that daily oral hygiene is a non-negotiable habit. Many kids might be hesitant to catch onto this habit at first, but practice makes perfect. As your child continues to practice daily teeth-brushing and flossing under your guidance, the behavior will become ingrained and second nature to them. You may have to keep a watchful eye on them at first, but with reassurance and some positive reinforcement, your child should develop their own routine that no longer needs supervision.

Have Fun With It

If your child is still struggling to adapt to a solid dental hygiene routine, you may need to get creative about how you reinforce the importance of these habits. Reward charts are always a solid option for instilling good behaviors like these. But don't go crazy with them. Keep the rewards small, simple, and not too extravagant. Your children need to understand that teeth-brushing is a non-negotiable part of their routine.

You can also take the opposite route and show your children the consequences of poor oral hygiene. You can do a quick Google search to find photos from dentists of tooth decay or damage. While this is an extreme measure, it may be just the ticket that drives home your message! For more information, reach out to Beattie Family Dental!