As parents, we all know that sometimes we must make our kids do things they’d really rather not do. Like do your homework, or take a shower, or be nice to your sister, or go to bed—the list goes on and on. In most cases, a little child psychology can be helpful. A few tricks to get kids do they have to do won’t hurt them. To the contrary, it will probably help them. With this in mind, Drs. Colin Holman and Natalie Frazier and their team of dental hygienists and dental assistants at Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OK, would like to offer a few tips to help you help your children have healthy teeth and gums.
Tips from the Dentist Oklahoma City Trusts
- When your children are very young, you are actually your child’s dentist, so set a good example. Let your toddler see you brushing and flossing your own teeth every morning and every night. If they’re usually in bed before you brush, then alter your brushing time occasionally so they can watch you. And let your child “help” you brush your teeth, the same you help them brush their teeth.
- Are you a good storyteller? Then, make up a story during tooth brushing time. Perhaps the toothbrush is the action hero who gets the “bad guys,” like food particles and plaque, and chases them out of your child’s mouth. Not so creative? Then try singing or use a special toothbrush that plays music while brushing.
- The world is all about technology, so why not go high tech when you brush your teeth, too? Electric toothbrushes aren’t only fun—“that tickles, Mommy”—they do a great job of cleaning children’s teeth, while being gentle on gums. If they won’t hold still for flossing, then try a water flosser. A whale or dolphin shaped “faucet fountain” on your bathroom tap will make rinsing fun.
- If you’re the crafty type, then you can make a sock puppet that you or your child wears to help get those teeth brushed. Decorate a sock to be the “dentist,” maybe Douggie the Doggie Dentist, and have him brush and floss your children’s teeth.
- Of course, ultimately you want your children to be able to brush their own teeth. Around the age of five or six, you can begin letting your children brush, but they should probably be supervised and reminded until they are at least seven or eight. They may still want to brush with you and that’s fine.
Call Our Office Today
If it’s time for you, one of your children, or another family member to take advantage of general dentistry Oklahoma City relies on for complete oral health, call Dental Expressions. Our convenient Oklahoma City, OK, location welcomes patients from Moore, Norman, Midwest City, Edmond, and beyond.
