Healthy Smiles For the Whole Family

A proper oral health care routine is important for everyone, so why not make sure the entire family is involved when it comes to brushing and flossing? Children learn good oral care habits by watching and imitating the people around them, including parents and older siblings. Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Vancouver recommends getting the entire family together and making oral hygiene fun!

Start Oral Care Routines Early

Most parents don’t realize that their child should visit the dentist for the first time when their first baby tooth erupts. That is because early visits help your child get used to the sights and sounds of the dental office. Early visits can prevent major future dental issues because Dr. Mo can watch the way your child’s teeth come in and their jaw bone structure. 

Pediatric dentistry is about early prevention and detection. Did you know that almost half of children under the age of eight already have had one cavity in their baby teeth and that more than half of teens have had at least one cavity in their adult teeth by the time they are 19?

When your child is still a baby, you can start by gently cleaning their gums with a soft, moist washcloth, using gentle massaging motions. This will get your baby used to having something in their mouth and make it easier to transition to a toothbrush once their baby teeth have come in.

The Power of Play

Let’s face it—most kids enjoy fun and games, so why not make tooth brushing time a fun activity? If children see that an activity can be fun, they are less likely to think of it as a chore, and more likely to follow through with doing the activity.

So what are some ways you can engage your child through play to develop healthy dental habits?

• Brushing together: Make the entire family brush their teeth at the same time. To make the activity more fun for everyone, find a family-friendly song or video that is at least two minutes long, and don’t stop brushing your teeth until the video or song is over. Bonus points if the video or song is dental-related!
• Board games: Children love games, so why not create your own board game focused on oral health? Using construction paper or poster board, create a game board with colored squares on it. Make game cards and research dental facts. Create your own game pieces in dental-themed shapes, like a tooth, toothbrush, pack of floss, or even the tooth fairy. Start at the beginning point and have the first person try to answer the first question. If they get it right, they can roll a die (or dice) and then move around the board with the same amount of squares that are on the dice. If you get the question wrong, you don’t get to roll the dice and advance around the board and have to wait until the next time to try to answer another question. The winner is the first person who reaches the end!
• Reward charts: Sometimes, a child just needs a little reward to keep them interested in an activity. Use a chore chart or calendar and add a sticker each time your child brushes their teeth. The goal is to not miss any days. See how long of a streak your child can keep up without being reminded. The first person to brush their teeth 50 times without being reminded gets a small toy as a reward.
• There’s an app for that: Technology is around us everywhere—there is no escaping that. So why not make oral health fun with an app? There are many apps available for kids (and adults) that feature timers, fun songs, views of the inside of your mouth, and even apps that show proper brushing techniques. Just check out the app store on your smart device for ideas.

Visit Must Love Kids biannually for your dental evaluations.

Besides brushing and flossing daily, another smart way to stay on top of your oral health is by having biannual dental evaluations. Everyone should visit their dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning and dental evaluation, where your dentist can check to see if there are any issues with your teeth. Remember, preventative care is key, especially when it comes to your teeth. Schedule your child’s appointment with Dr. Mo today, and let us know what your family does to make brushing fun!