Keeping up With the Kids: 3 tips for children’s dental hygiene

Keeping up With the Kids: 3 tips for children’s dental hygiene

Keeping up With the Kids: 3 tips for children’s dental hygiene

Nothing spreads joy quite like a child?s sweet smile. While their smiles can be goofy as teeth are falling out and growing in, dental hygiene during each process is incredibly important. To help your child develop a strong, healthy and smiley set of ?grown up? teeth, their dental hygiene needs to set the stage. While getting kiddos to keep up with brushing isn?t easy, we believe that there are several ways to encourage better dental care. Here are 3 tips to make the most of your efforts when attending to your child?s dental needs.

1. Make healthy food fun!

Since kids are expert pleasure seekers. It?s hard work to get your kids to adopt healthy eating habits that keep their bodies and smiles strong. One way we have noticed children become more open to trying out new foods. Adding color, shapes and themes to snacks and meals are all excellent ways to get kids excited about foods like fruits and vegetables. Whether making  a ?forest? with broccoli trees, making a face using different fruits or making a ?fondue? bar with various veggies and healthy dips, creativity will go far with kids. Making teeth-friendly foods fun is one way your kids (and their dentists) will thank you later.

2.Boost the brushing experience

When we talk about having to brush your teeth twice a day for the rest of your life, the reaction we get isn?t usually…exciting. In order to make what seems like a mindless, repeated task become a habit, a fun incentive can do the trick. We suggest finding a ?brush time song? that your child loves and gets to listen to only while brushing their teeth. Not only does this give you 2 minutes to dance around, it?s also a good way to make sure your kid is brushing long enough to make those efforts effective!

3. Start at the dentist early

It may seem like baby teeth don?t need much care because they aren?t around for that long anyway. Right? WRONG. The American Academy of Dental Practice advises that babies see a dentist after the first tooth appears. Not only do early dental visits help to make sure the process of losing and growing teeth is healthy and happy, but dentists are able to get a dental history that can help with preventative care, ultimately saving you and your child money and time in the long run.  Not only does an early visit help with dental hygiene, research has shown that early detection of good oral health helps children become more ready for school and can even help with anxiety management in the future.

There are many more tips and tools our Krengel Dental team has to share with you and your family in order to keep your child?s smile as shiny, healthy and happy as it can be. If your child is due for an appointment or if you are struggling with enforcing healthy dental habits at your home, you are not alone and we are here to help. Call a friendly Krengel Dental team member today (952-888-1311) — we are eager to work with you.