Empower Kids to Care About Teeth
Aldie, VA
 Empowering your kids to care about their own teeth does not just take some of the responsibility off your busy hands, but gives them a solid foundation of dental health for the rest of their lives. Here at Smile Kids! Pediatric Dentistry we want to help you and your child learn how good dental hygiene can be both healthy and fun, so here are some quick tips to help your kids!
Let Kids Choose Their Own Brush
Letting your kids have an active say in their dental health is a great way to make them feel like their choice matters. Make sure that any brush you get them has a small head with extra-soft bristles for their sensitive teeth and gums.
Print Out Charts to Leave in the Bathroom
It might seem like a small thing, but kids love charts, and giving them a visual guide that they can easily check while brushing can help teach new habits and reinforce good ones. If you get one your child can fill out, it can even be turned into a game!
Turn Brushing Time Into Playtime!
There is no reason that brushing your teeth has to be a drag. While your child brushes with their toothpaste you can sing songs or read a book together during the recommended two minutes. There is also a growing number of apps that you can download that can sync with your child’s electronic toothbrush.
Use playtime as an excuse to give your child the freedom to brush on their own. Show them how to do it properly, but when it comes time for the actual brushing encourage them to do it themselves while you read a story.
Teach Them Healthy Eating Habits
There is nothing wrong with snacks but encourage crunchy fruits and vegetables to help build strong teeth while limiting how much sugary juice they drink throughout the day. The sugars and acids in juice can make cavities more likely. However, brushing right after can be a bad idea as the enamel is exceptionally soft as much as an hour later!
Do Not Wait to Schedule Your First Visit
One of the most important things you can do for your child is bring them in for an exam. The American Dental Association recommends that a child should be taken to the dentist by their first birthday or within roughly 180 days (6 months) of their first tooth erupting, whichever comes first. And since tooth decay can start as soon as your child’s first tooth erupts, it is vital to bring them in early and detect any infections before they spread to the permanent teeth. First visits are short and give us the chance to get to know both you and your child, while answering any questions you might have!
Empower Your Child Today!
It is never too early to start teaching your children about oral health. Here at Smile Kids! Pediatric Dentistry, we are eager to help by answering any questions you might have. So, give us a call today at (276) 663-0065 so we can set up a time to get to know you and your child!
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