That’s why we believe it’s always best to start early. Our dentists always encourage parents to start encouraging their children to have healthy oral habits, like brushing their teeth three times a day and lessen their consumption on sugary snacks.
This is because instilling these habits at an early age will help them maintain them into adulthood. Of course, we know that it can be a challenge to do so, especially if your children would much rather do something more exciting than standing near the sink, cleaning their teeth, and keeping still. Also, it’s the time of their life wherein their sweet tooth is at its peak, so they’re much more enticed to grab a chocolate bar than anything healthy.
So how can you reinforce these habits unto your children?
Make brushing teeth a more rewarding task for them
Let’s face it, oftentimes, they think that brushing their teeth is a chore, and they’d rather skip it. But when we make it more rewarding for them, they’ll be more motivated to do it. For example, you can tell them that if they are able to make the habit of brushing their teeth consistent, then they’ll be able to get a toy or a treat.
Prepare healthier alternatives for their usual sugary snacks
Now, this can be the tricky part. Children are always tempted to sneak in a chocolate bar every now and then or drink soda instead of water. Not only will this damage their teeth, but it will also affect their overall health. As a provider of pediatric dental care in Fairfax, we advise you to stick to sweet, yet nutritious alternatives, like fruit desserts or fruit drinks. Fruits are rich in vitamins that will help in their health and development; at the same time, the kind of sweeteners they have are fructose, which is a healthier alternative.
Brush with them at night
If you pediatric dental care fairfax make brushing a bonding moment with them, then it’s sure to have a positive impact on them, too. Find some time to brush your teeth with them and also teach them the right way to brush their teeth. That way, they don’t just brush consistently but also effectively.
We believe that positive reinforcement is always the way to go when it comes to instilling healthy habits in children. If you want to know more about developing healthy oral habits in your children, you can talk to our dentists who are experts in pediatric dental care.
If it’s time for their dental clean-up, trust Shohreh Sharif, D.D.S & Associates P.C. to make your child’s experience more comfortable and positive. Rest assured that our dentists are friendly and the best at what they do, so your children will have a pain-free procedure.