We love October! The leaves change colors, the weather gets cooler and everyone gets ready to trick-or-treat. But did you know that there’s more to October than costumes and candy? October is also national Dental Hygiene Month. That’s right, now’s the time to focus in on keeping our teeth clean.
But sometimes with little ones effective tooth brushing and flossing is easier said than done! So in the spirit of October, here are a few tricks for getting the littles to brush.
- Chompers Podcast. Add some fun (and a little bit of distraction) to the brushing experience with this twice-daily podcast. Chompers provides stories, jokes, riddles and more in two minute episodes, which help children brush long enough to really clean their teeth both morning and night.
- Bed-time is a bummer. Try to put some time between tooth brushing and lights-out, so that dental hygiene isn’t associated with having to go to sleep. Stories, shows, or other quiet activities between brushing and bed can provide incentive to get it done, and create a buffer between brushing and bedtime.
- Show them how it’s done. Parents can help set the example by brushing and flossing themselves. This shows children the importance of dental hygiene, and can help them form a life-long dental health routine.
- Schedule Cleanings! Getting a professional cleaning done by your dentist every six months is vital to maintaining a healthy smile. Our schedule fills up quickly at the end of the year because many insurance plans are ending and folks want to take advantage of their benefits, so call ASAP to get your child’s cleaning scheduled.
- Check out our other resources for dental hygiene tips. If you’ve ever wondered what kind of toothbrush, toothpaste, or floss will work best, read this article, Tools of the Trade. To learn about dental health in very little children check out Dental Care for Infants and Toddlers. If you’re wondering what you can do to help dental visits go well our articles called 5 Ways Parents Help Fearful Kids Love the Dentist (And 2 that make fear worse! or Prepping for the first check-up: The three W’s can help.
Many of our other articles can also provide help on a host of other dental questions and concerns. Click here to return to the front page and read more!
How do you get your kids to like brushing? Tell us your tips in the comments.