Our teeth are strong enough to withstand the daily pressures we put them through, only if they are well cared for. At Birmingham Dental, we stress the importance of keeping your teeth clean through dental hygiene practices. Do you feel that you take excellent care of your teeth? Are you in need of some extra tips and tricks on how to perform better hygiene at home? Do you need help instilling good oral hygiene habits for your kids? You have come to the right place! Here are some Dental Hygiene Tips for Kids and Families.
Dental Hygiene Tips for Kids
Kids are filled with a ton of energy and are good at putting up a fight when they are asked to do something they don’t want to. If you have been having a hard time teaching your kids how to brush their teeth at home properly, we have got some tips for you.
- Teach by Showing: Most kids are visual learners, so to help them learn, be proactive in showing your child how you brush your teeth. By showing them how to brush certain areas, they will be more inclined to want to brush their teeth the way you do.
Another way you can show them how to brush is by both of you standing in front of a mirror, taking their toothbrush, and brushing their teeth for them, slowly. This allows them to see how they should be brushing their teeth.
- Make it Fun: Your child might be uninterested in brushing their teeth because it’s not that exciting. By making brushing their teeth a fun experience, they will be more inclined to want to perform dental hygiene. Some things you can do to make the process more fun is:
- Play a fun, two-minute song that they can brush to
- Get them a fun toothbrush that has their favorite cartoon character on it
- Be excited about them brushing their teeth
- Get them a flavored toothpaste
- Have a Routine: One of the best ways to instill proper and constant dental hygiene at home is to make it a part of the child’s routine. Not giving the child a choice to brush their teeth or not and making it a part of their routine will make them more inclined to brush each day.
Along with bringing your child into the office for a routine dental cleaning, brushing and flossing at home is the primary way that your child’s teeth will be able to fight off decay.
Hygiene Tips For Adults
Most adults have been taking care of their teeth for years and know the dental hygiene basics. Sometimes we forget basic dental hygiene practices and sometimes fail to do them. Here are some tips for adults on how to best take care of their teeth while going through their daily lives.
- Routine: Making dental hygiene a part of your daily routine is important and suggested to everyone. If you have a set morning and nightly routine, the odds are that you won’t forget to brush your teeth. Brushing every night and every morning is essential for optimal oral health and to prevent decay.
- Be Aware of Your Diet: Certain food and beverage choices are more likely to harm or change your teeth than others. Things such as coffee, wine, and smoking have the potential to stain and discolor your teeth. Eating a balanced diet and only having a minimal sugar intake will strengthen your teeth and eliminate excess plaque.
- Be In-Touch With Your Dentist: Dr. Sgalia and Dr. Coburn are available to assist you or any member of your family with modifying your dental hygiene practices. If you have any questions or concerns about your dental health, give us a call or schedule a consultation meeting.
Birmingham Dental is dedicated to serving the residents of Birmingham, MI, and wants to help everyone with their dental hygiene. We look forward to seeing you!
