Teaching Children Early About the Importance of Good Dental Habits

Teaching children good dental health habits early can be an important way to establish lifelong good dental health practices. Children who are taught in early childhood how to brush and maintain other good dental hygiene practices can significantly lower their risk for developing future dental health problems.


Many dental patients that have undergone extensive dental restoration will tell you that they regret neglecting their oral health even as far back as childhood.


When it comes to maintaining good dental health, the key is prevention. There are many steps that you can implement early on in childhood that can teach your child preventative dental health measures.


Talk to your child about the importance of brushing for at least 2 minutes. It helps if you buy a timer that you can show them how to set.


Tell them to make sure they brush every part of the teeth. Another helpful tip is that many dental products for children, such as washes and toothpastes, have colored particles in them that can show a child where bacteria could be lying in wait to destroy their teeth. Have your child brush their teeth until all the colored particles are washed away.


Allow your child to view the different types of toothbrushes available, but make sure you help teach them about the differences in the types of brushes. Many new toothbrushes including power brushes offer some great hand-grips and allow the child to pick a toothbrush that they will feel most comfortable with using.


If flossing is not an option for your child, an investment in an oral irrigator or dental water jet is a great way to make sure your child gets all the little areas that their toothbrush can't. Child-size floss is out there for children and adults that don't want to use the regular type of dental floss.
Dental water jets are also great in keeping children's attention while practicing good dental care or when wearing dental braces.


Make sure you teach your child that you can still have a bite of candy but it is always recommended to brush your teeth as soon as possible when eating anything, especially any type of sugars such as sweets.


Teach your child what kinds of candies to stay away from and how bad leaving food such as sugars are on your dental health if left on your teeth. 


The majority of dental professionals advise people to brush after every meal, as well as the first thing in the morning and the last thing before bed.The majority of dental professionals also recommend that parents observe their child's dental practices until they are about 8 or 9 years old. Observing a child's oral health practices ensures that they are not only brushing well, but that they understand the importance of taking care of their teeth for many years to come.