Teaching Your Child Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Teaching Your Child Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Establishing an effective dental hygiene routine when your kids are young pays off in the long run, both financially and health-wise. However, it can be difficult to know where to start or what works best for kids. Here are a few tips from your family dentists in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Susan Hockaday and Dr. Jim Baucom, on how to make the most out of your child's dental care at home.

Brush up on their toothbrushing

As many parents know, convincing your child to brush their teeth twice daily can be a challenge. Your Charlotte family dentist suggests playing a favorite song for the two minutes it takes to brush to help the time go by more quickly. Allowing your child to pick out a new toothbrush, perhaps in their favorite color or featuring a cartoon character they like, also helps make the daily routine easier and more fun. Just make sure that the brush your child chooses has soft bristles and isn't too large for their mouth. A fluoride-based toothpaste in a child-friendly flavor is also a good way to encourage regular brushing.

Fine-tune their flossing

Flossing tends to be at the bottom of the list when it comes to taking care of your teeth at home - that's true for your Charlotte family dentist's patients of all ages! But like brushing, parents can make the process more fun by taking advantage of the variety of products available today. Flossing picks in bright colors with flavored thread puts a new twist on the tedious process of flossing between each tooth. Kids with orthodontic appliances can use flossing threaders or interdental brushes. You can also set a great example for your kids by making flossing a daily part of your dental hygiene routine as well.

To make an appointment for yourself or a member of your family, contact Dr. Susan Hockaday Family Practice for the very best in family dentistry in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. We can be reached at (704) 553-2348.