You feel like your child is ready to start brushing and flossing without your direct help, but do you also feel confident in your ability to lead them through these practices? While brushing and flossing seem simple enough to adults, young children have to learn these skills, just as they have to learn so many other self-care practices over time. Your support can be a big help, even if you are no longer the one holding the brush for them. At our Greenville, TX dentist’s office, we can help you encourage your kids to form good habits on their own, and we can provide guidance and information to kids during their pediatric dental appointments.
1. Make Sure They Are Ready To Effectively Brush Without Help
Before you decide it is absolutely time to let your child brush and floss on their own, take a moment to consider how ready they truly are. If they are not quite coordinated enough to carefully clean every part of their growing smile, they may develop poor habits that end up limiting their ability to avoid problems with tooth decay. Give them the chance to prove themselves by modeling good behaviors before deciding they can start cleaning their teeth without your involvement.
2. Show Off Good Habits By Brushing With Them
You may be ready to let your kid brush without your help, but that does not mean you have to leave them to brush on their own. Make time each morning to clean your teeth with them. That way you can encourage them to be thorough, and you can model good habits of your own so that they see what to do.
3. Help Them Understand Why Good Oral Hygiene Is Important
Parents are the first role models children have. Your choices concerning smile care can influence them more than you may realize, which is why this is a good time to start thinking about your own habits. If you want your kids to understand the value of dental care, show them that you take treatment seriously by staying consistent with your own routine dental checkups. To further help them, talk to them about why you attend appointments, as well as why you take care to clean your teeth and go out of your way to maintain a healthy diet. When kids develop an understanding of oral care’s importance at an early age, they can be less likely to experience problems that require dental fillings and dental crowns when they are older!
Your Greenville, TX Dentist Can Help Your Family Maintain Healthy Smiles!
Your Greenville, TX dentist’s office is proud to help community members of all ages enjoy healthy smiles! To find out how we can support your family, you can contact Smith Family Dentistry at 903-455-5750.