Get Your Kids Into Good Oral Habits

Your child's health and hygiene is always the first thing on your priority list. As a parent, you want to see your children smiling and happy at all times. Of course, the better the dental condition of your kid, the healthier his or her smile will be. So, what can you do to inculcate good habits in them when it comes to their teeth?

1. Demonstrate:

Brushing one's teeth properly and regularly is the first step toward oral hygiene. You can show your children how to brush their teeth by doing it yourself. Children learn quickest from what they see, and if they see you doing something in a certain manner, they will be sure to follow your guidance. Facing each other is a good position for teaching them the correct way to reach every part of their mouth and ensure that no area is left unclean. For this step, however, you must first be sure that you are doing it right yourself.

2. Teach Them Not to Fear the Dentist:
The dentist plays a vital role in making sure that yours and your children's teeth are in the best shape and health. Many adults fear going to the dentist because of various reasons, but what they fail to realize is that their own fear is being unwittingly passed on to their children. Instead of scaring them into brushing their teeth by saying that you will take them to the dentist, you should give them incentives after every cavity-free dental checkup. This way, they will be encouraged to keep their teeth clean, and they will not be afraid of visiting the dentist whenever needed. Schedule a checkup every two months just to make sure that your children's teeth are in good physical shape.

3. Healthy Eating Habits:
What you eat has profound impacts on the hygiene of your teeth, so start healthy-eating behaviors and habits early in your children's lives. You can achieve this by setting an example of what is right and what is not.

• Drink plenty of water every day.
• Eat sufficient amounts of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in protein, and make your children understand the value of nutritious food.
• Maintain variety, balance, and moderation in what you eat. Don't deprive your body of what it needs to stay healthy and function every day.

4. Warn Them Against Bad Habits:
And stay away from them yourself, too. Habits such as smoking, tobacco-intake, and alcohol do nothing for your body except destroy your mouth, and they are a total waste of money. Stay away from such life-threatening behaviors because if your child sees you smoking on a daily basis, he or she will assume that it is okay for them to do so, too. You don't want to encourage your child in doing this. Be a good example for them.

Inculcating good habits in your children will give you an opportunity to practice them yourself. Your children's habits will be a reflection of how good a parent you are and your children will thank you once they are old enough to understand the real importance of healthy dental practices.

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