Tooth decay among children is one of the main cause of concern when it comes to pediatric oral health. In fact, tooth decay is one of the most common chronic conditions that children ages 2-11 have, according to a recent study.
A dental practitioner, Karl Jobst DDS Grove OK, helps us to understand the causes of tooth decay among children:
- Overconsumption of sugar – children tend to prefer eating sweets compared to other foods at a young age. As a result, cavities emerge which result in tooth decay.
- Lack of proper oral hygiene habits – children are still starting to develop habits that they will carry on at an older age. When children are inconsistent with brushing their teeth, cavities and tooth decay may occur as well.
- Genetics – some children are just prone to oral health issues which are passed on hereditarily. Conditions such as sensitive teeth or poor enamel structure can affect the teeth’s integrity.
Understanding this, Dr. Karl Jobst DDS Grove OK shares with us his best ways to teach children how to brush their teeth regularly.
How To Teach Children To Brush Their Teeth Regularly
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Incorporate toothbrushing as a part of the morning and nightly routine
Teaching your children how to brush their teeth regularly involves including it as one of the main parts of the morning and nightly routine. For example, a daily routine would be something such as: making the bed, taking a shower, brushing teeth, and getting dressed. If children understand that it is part of the routine, they will most likely keep the habit regularly.
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Praise when necessary
Perhaps you’ve been having problems with your child’s consistency in brushing his or her teeth, and there was a single instance where they did it by themselves. A great way to acknowledge this is to give verbal praise for the work well-done. For example, you can say encouraging words such as “Great! Your smile is so white because you brushed your teeth today!” or “I’m proud that you brushed your teeth all by yourself!”. These verbal praises have a strong effect on children which encourages them to brush their teeth more regularly.
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Make them aware of the effects of brushing and not brushing their teeth
At some point in a child’s life, they will begin to ask the purpose and reason behind things. For example, a child may ask “Why do I have to keep on doing this every day?”. An answer such as “Because I said so” may not be effective anymore. It may be time to sit them down and help them understand the effects of not brushing their teeth, such as having cavities, and their teeth falling out. You can supplement this by showing stories or pictures as well. This way, you can educate your children and at the same time, they will be motivated to keep the habit, too.
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Have a routine check every now and then
Some children may try to get away with pretending that they have brushed their teeth. To prevent this, you can try having occasional routine checks such as asking them to smile or checking if their breath smells fresh. This way, you can see if your child really did brush their teeth, and you can also give them reminders to go back if they lied or pretended to.
One of the key ways to help kids develop good oral habits is to start them young. When parents teach consistency and give positive reinforcement, children are more encouraged to do their part.