5 Things You Can Do to Teach Your Child Good Dental Hygiene

Your child’s attitudes toward dental hygiene will impact them all their life. Teaching your child good dental hygiene habits can help your child have attractive, healthy teeth into their adulthood. As a parent, you can help your child learn good dental hygiene by bringing your child to the pediatric dentist in Fort Collins, CO and by following the tips below.

1. Take Your Child to the Dentist Regularly

Your child should visit the dentist once annually for a dental cleaning and dental examination. Going to the dentist helps your child avoid plaque and tartar on their tooth enamel, and cavities. Make a point of taking your child every year at the same time, so you won’t forget.

2. Enforce Good Dental Hygiene Habits At Home

Have your child brush their teeth before bed every night. Don’t make any exceptions, because bacteria that sits on their teeth overnight can lead to problems like bad breath and cavities. Making tooth brushing a habit also helps your child establish good routines that will follow them into adulthood.

3. Brush Your Child’s Teeth Until They’re Old Enough

Brush your child’s teeth until they’re about 7 or 8 years old. Young children don’t have the coordination or gross motor skills to properly brush their teeth. If your child wants to do it themselves, then brush their teeth first and then let them have a turn. As you brush their teeth, describe what you’re doing and why it’s important. This will help your child understand the process and learn how to do it themselves.

4. Practice Good Dental Hygiene Yourself

Be sure to brush your own teeth every morning and night. Be an example to your child.

5. Make Going to the Dentist a Positive Experience

Take you child to a dentist that knows how to handle young patients. Pediatric dentists are uniquely suited to help soothe children’s anxieties about going to the dentist, and that can make going to the dentist a positive experience overall.

Bring your child to a pediatric dentist for their pediatric dental cleanings in Fort Collins, CO. At Big Grins, we’ve set up our practice specifically for children. We know how to make going to the dentist a positive and productive experience for your child. Call today to make an appointment.