February has been touted as “National Children’s Dental Health Month” by The American Dental Association. It is a great time to teach your children the importance of regular oral care and to provide tips that start them on the road to positive oral health for life.

Visit the Dental Care Aisle Together-

Children enjoy shopping with their parents, so it is a good idea to take your kids when you are buying toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other oral care products. This is a smart time to explain why certain brands and styles work better than others. It sets the stage for when they need to make the decisions for themselves.

Play with Healthy Food-

A healthy mouth starts with a healthy diet. To get kids interested in nutritious snacks, it is fun to place a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables on plates and allow them to create a smiley face or another piece of art. After taking a picture of the results, the children can eat their masterpieces while you discuss how healthy foods contribute to a solid smile.

Make a Game of Brushing-

When brushing is fun, a child is likely to continue the habit. To keep things enjoyable, you can set a timer to show how long it takes to properly get teeth clean. After each day of brushing, you can give your child a sticker to place on a special chart. When the chart is full, a small reward can be given.

To teach a child how to brush correctly, you can practice with paint. You cut a large tooth our of paper and provide an old toothbrush that can be dipped in paint. In this way, you teach the proper up, down, and circular motions that get teeth clean.

It is never too early to teach your children the importance of positive oral hygiene. The professionals at Stoner Periodontic Associates can provide more tips. Since youngsters are inquisitive, they will benefit from learning the correct ways to brush and floss. Besides preventing cavities at a young age, it will help them avoid serious problems in the future.