Help Your Child Form Healthy Dental Habits
If you have kids then you will want to make sure they enjoy good health. Recent studies have made it increasingly clear that a healthy body is closely linked to a healthy mouth so great dental care habits have never been more important. So which healthy dental habits should you teach your kid and which harmful oral habits should you try to avoid?
Explain to Your Kids Why Healthy Dental Habits Are so Important
During their first few years of life, you will need to make sure you brush and floss your child’s teeth for them as their motor skills and dexterity will still be developing at this stage. As you brush and floss their teeth, explain to them why healthy dental habits are so vital, not only for a healthy mouth but also for a healthy body. Poor dental hygiene can have far-reaching consequences from a very young age.
How Poor Dental Health Can Impact a Child’s Life
Children who have cavities or who are in pain are more likely to find it difficult to eat comfortably and they may not chew food properly before they swallow. One side effect of not chewing food is that it reduces the amount of nutrients that can be easily absorbed by the body and can lead to weight gain. In addition, having discolored teeth or cavity filled teeth can negatively impact a young child’s self-esteem and self-confidence, an effect that can last for life. As your kid gets older, they will want to begin to brush their teeth on their own. Generally by the time they are able to tie shoelaces, they should have enough coordination to brush reasonably well and learn other healthy dental habits. However they may still need help with flossing.
Choose Dental Products Designed for Kids
Children shouldn’t be using an adult sized toothbrush as child-size toothbrushes have much smaller heads that will be easier for your kid to use and which will clean their teeth more effectively. As a part of healthy dental habits encourage your child to pick a toothbrush that appeals to them as they will be far more likely to use it. If it helps encourage them to brush, choose child oriented fluoride toothpaste that come in a range of kid friendly flavors.
Dental Fears and Phobias
Dental fears and phobias are still very common and quite often parents and caregivers will struggle to visit a dentist due to these concerns. If this applies to you, try to resist referring to dental visits in a negative way and definitely don’t threaten a visit to the dentist if your kid fails to brush properly as this kind of negative reinforcement can lead to fears and phobias. Instead, offer lots of praise whenever your child brushes and flosses. Think about offering them a reward when they have a cavity free checkup as healthy dental habits include visiting a pediatric dentist.
If you do have dental fears and phobias and are concerned about your child visiting a dentist then you will be pleasantly surprised when you visit the Kids Dentistry Center. This child oriented dental clinic is staffed by a super-friendly and professional dental team that includes Dr. Marian Krepkh as well as other pediatric dentists who are all true specialists in treating young kids. Our aim is to prove that dental visits can be fun and informative and definitely don’t need to be scary.
Kids Best Dentist Brooklyn NYC
Dr. Marina Krepkh
7708 4th Avenue 1st floor
Brooklyn, NY 11209 (Bay Ridge)