Parenting can sometimes feel overwhelming and challenging. One of the tasks in this process is to teach your kids the importance of dental hygiene.
The habits developed in this stage will indeed get carried into the rest of their lives. However, it is good to remember that you do not always have to know everything. Remind yourself that as much as it is essential, it is not all that difficult. Consulting an oral surgeon in Passaic, NJ, will help you better navigate the activity.
- Setting examples
Parents are considered a child’s first teachers and home his/her first school. You might have noticed that as your children start growing and doing little activities, they try imitating you. As a parent, you can use this in developing your dental hygiene habits. One of the ways is by brushing and flossing with them, which initiates their learning. Also, setting a clear idea about your consistency in it gives them an understanding of how it must not be compromised, teaching them its importance.
- Balancing the learning journey with fun and values
To teach your children healthy habits, you could sometimes end up overlooking that they are not in the phase of having the seriousness or understanding to do so immediately. Try to make it fun by letting them choose their brush and toothpaste, maybe of their favorite color or character. Provide them with positive reinforcement for maintaining the habit by giving them small yet healthy rewards and words of praise.
- Using other sources for teaching
Sometimes, the teaching process can begin feeling forceful to you. To ease the pressure on your side, you could use simple graphic books and videos to teach better about these habits. This makes it a fun activity for them and learning during the day. Also, sometimes a few such animated pictures and videos have more impact than you trying to teach for days together does. Using a timer set to two minutes of brushing time also helps when you are trying to develop your child’s routine of the habit.
- Periodic dentist visits
As much as educating children about the ill effects of not sticking to their healthy teeth habits is essential to ensure they understand the significance of visiting the dentist. Also, it is key not to induce negative thoughts or fear about visiting the dentist. Making a dentist visit once every six months is one way this can be inculcated, with the additional benefit of getting an experienced dentist’s feedback.
