Dr. Timothy Martinez explains that oral health is essential to good overall health. However, it can be difficult for parents to motivate kids to brush and floss their teeth. Dr. Martinez recently discussed how to teach kids about dental hygiene, so they practice good oral health for life.
Set a Good Example
Kids mimic what their parents do. They’ll want to brush their teeth when they see their parents brushing theirs. The importance of parents communicating with children while performing oral health tasks. They should verbalize how they’re flossing or brushing and the correct techniques. It’s critical that kids learn how to do it right the first time.
Make It Fun
Kids are much more likely to do something if they find it fun. Parents can make brushing or flossing fun by making up toothbrush songs or playing several brushing games easily found online. Some kids also like to practice brushing on their stuffed animals.
Let Them Choose a Fun Toothbrush
The oral hygiene industry offers a lot of products that appeal to kids. Parents should take their kids to the market to choose a toothbrush they’ll love to use. Timothy Martinez suggested using toothpaste that contains fluoride to help protect their teeth from cavities.
Read to Kids About Teeth and Dental Health
Kids love storytime, and there are plenty of fun books about brushing teeth and oral health on the market. Consider Dr. Seuss’s The Tooth Book or The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist to introduce them to oral hygiene and relieve any fears about visiting the dentist.
Explain the Importance of Eating Healthy
A child’s diet has a lot to do with oral health. The foods they eat can positively or negatively affect the development of their teeth and gums.
Dr. Martinez expressed the importance that kids don’t consume too much of the following foods and drinks:
- sodas and other sugary drinks
- citrus fruits and fruit juices with high acidity
- hard candies and gummies
- sports and energy drinks
Fortunately, many healthy snacks strengthen gums and teeth. These include vegetables with stringy fibers that clean teeth and cheese, which is soft and has calcium for strong teeth and bones.
Consider a Kid-Friendly Dentist like Timothy Martinez DMD
Timothy Martinez graduated from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 1986 with a concentration in Health Care Administration. He served as an expert advisor for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Public Protection and the Board of Registration in Dentistry. He knows the importance of oral hygiene for children and the importance of creating fun and positive dental visits for him.
He concluded by expressing the importance of parents choosing a dentist their kids enjoy. Learning to dread or avoid dentist visits can stick with children for life. That’s why it’s essential to ensure dentist visits are fun.
