Children aren’t the only ones trying to avoid going to the dentist. Adults don’t care much for it, either. Many people immediately think of painful procedures, awkward holding-the-mouth-wide-open, and a possibly scary drill somewhere in there. But it doesn’t have to be that way and it won’t be, if you have prepared your child by teaching him the value of proper dental hygiene and regular check-ups.
This means you, as the parent, need to start right away by encouraging brushing and flossing daily and the use of
mouthwash, if it is recommended by the dentist. Your first visit to the dentist with your child should be when he is about six months old or when he gets his first tooth. Baby teeth must be kept healthy the same way that adult teeth are. Their cleanliness is vital to baby’s health.
Once the child grows old enough to brush his or her own teeth, it is your job to make sure they are doing it. Show them how to do it right and make it into a game if you have to. It doesn’t have to be a chore to get your teeth and mouth clean. Toothpaste manufacturers have come up with fun toothpastes and brushes for little ones to make that time special and entertaining in some way. Some toothbrushes even light up for a minute or two, to let the child know they have brushed for the proper amount of time.
Explain to your child the importance of keeping a clean mouth and that cavities and diseases are no fun and definitely to be avoided if possible. Help children understand that keeping up good dental hygiene affects a person’s overall health and let them know the value of a future mouth full of healthy teeth.
