{resource dental guide} their teeth themselves.
sure that they are brushing at all and to check their brushing
1. Create a tooth brushing chart: Kids love a challenge. Even more so, they love seeing how close they are to completing a
technique every couple of days so that we all know that they are doing the job right.
challenge. You can find plenty of tooth brushing charts online,
5. Make it a family affair: Nothing will make a child more
you could get one from your dentist, or you could create one
likely to grow up brushing and flossing their teeth than having
yourself. Get some stickers that they can use to fill in the chart
a parent who brushes and flosses. A couple of times each week,
to make it even more fun! The key is to make sure that they
get the whole family together to brush and floss. You can even
get a reward once they fill in the chart. Maybe they can take an
make it a silly dance time. Sometimes you just have to lead by
extra trip to the splash park or rent that movie that they’ve been
example!
asking for. If the reward is good enough, you might find them brushing 3 or 4 times a day just to fill in the chart!
Last but not least, be honest with your dentist. They already know how the brushing and flossing efforts are going. What
2. Get the timing right: Proper tooth brushing should last
they need to hear from you is why things are going that way. Dr.
at least 2 minutes. You can accomplish this a number of ways.
Stump says that “honesty helps us to identify and discuss areas
Dr. Stump suggests singing the ABC Song twice. You can also
of improvement from visit to visit and to tailor an oral hygiene
purchase a musical toothbrush or a timer (my kids love the
regimen for your family’s needs.”
2-minute sand timers). For tech-savvy children, there are even tooth brushing timer apps available!
At the end of the day, the key to good dental care is to start early. Developing good habits early can help minimize a
3. Make it easy for them: Buying packages of disposable
number of frustrating (and costly) issues down the road. If you
flossers can save you hours of shoving your fingers into your
do encounter those problems, partner with your dentist and/
8-year-old’s mouth. Remember, this is about healthy teeth, but
or orthodontist to come up with a treatment plan that fits
it’s also about developing healthy habits. The more you fight
your family and lifestyle and that helps your child to keep that
with them over this, the more it becomes a chore and not a
perfect smile!
lifestyle. If your child is fighting the taste of toothpaste, let them brush without it. If they “need” to have a particular kind of toothpaste or a certain character on their toothbrush, get it! 4. Spot check their efforts: While I may not have time to brush each child’s teeth every night, I can make it a point to be
A father to three, Brian is a freelance photographer and writer living in Greene County. Find more of his work at ThisCookinDad.com.
Stop Worrying— and Start Smiling Again.
Dr. J.C. Wolfe
Dr. Desiree Bagheri
Caring for all of your Dental Health Needs including: • Sedation Dentistry • Same Day Crowns • Cosmetic Dentistry
• Invisalign Teeth Straightening • Headache/TMD Therapy and Sedation Dentistry
Call (434) 923-0303 to set up your dental appointment today!
Charlottesville • Staunton • Harrisonburg • Ruckersville • Waynesboro
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