Children’s Dental Health Month: 4 Tips for Strong Smiles

As February rolls around, it marks the start of Children’s Dental Health Month. There’s no better time than now to help your family develop good oral habits and educate them about the importance of taking care of their smile, especially for kids. However, you may wonder how you can instill a great routine in your little one, so here are four tips that you can try out for the season.

1.)  Let Your Child Pick Out Their Own Supplies

Children often want to feel some sense of autonomy, such as deciding their outfit for the day. The same can go for the tools they use to brush and floss. You can make oral hygiene a more exciting experience by letting them choose their own products. Maybe a toothbrush with their favorite character or a fun toothpaste flavor can be enough to encourage them to want to do it.

2.)  Make a Routine

Having a consistent routine can also be beneficial in many ways. Giving your loved one a set time that their brushing is to be done by can help them start to do it themself. Another great way you can do it is by setting up a challenge board or offering small rewards that help them want to take care of their teeth.

3.)  Set an Example

Your child’s role model very well may be you. They may watch you when you’re not realizing it and pick up on certain things you do. So, if they don’t see you brushing or flossing, then they may not realize how important it is. Combine this point with the one above, and you can have shared moments with your loved one while also making sure they do each step correctly.

4.)  Schedule a Dental Checkup

Just like with your smile, regular checkups and cleanings are crucial visits your child should have. Their dentist will be able to make sure their developing teeth are in good shape, such as making sure that their alignment will be healthy. It’s also a great way for them to learn more about their unique smile from friendly experts. You can also benefit from this visit as you can learn tips to get more involved in their growing grin.

Following these practices can help you and your loved one celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month. By starting these practices now, you can help your child build a routine that keeps their smile strong and healthy for years to come.

About the Practice

At Arlington Heights Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, the kids in the local community benefit from a compassionate team of dentists. By offering a wide range of treatments, we are happy to help your child develop healthy dental habits that keep their grin in great shape as they get older. If you want to get your loved one in for a checkup or cleaning, schedule an appointment for them or call our office at (847) 255-3020.