A child’s toddler years are famous for being a challenging
time for all members of a family—from siblings, parents, to even grandparents.
Children are busy enough exploring their surroundings and discovering new ways they
can play, and this usually means they don’t feel like standing still for a long-enough
period of time to brush teeth or keep up recommended oral healthcare routines.
It’s also during this phase that many toddlers are compelled
by parents to lose pacifiers, which is often a long, grueling battle in and of
itself. Any habits of thumb or pacifier sucking, per the American Academy of
Pediatric Dentistry, should cease by three years of age.
With these various facets of toddler dental care in mind,
it’s best for parents to start early in setting the right example for
conscientious oral healthcare and to try making teeth-brushing more fun for
their toddlers. By doing this, parents may effectively establish a lifelong precedent
for healthy oral healthcare habits in their children.
How to Make Dental
Care Fun for Toddlers
Like their adult counterparts, toddlers’ teeth should be
brushed twice a day, but with an adult’s help. A small amount of toothpaste, no
bigger than the size of a pea, is enough for children between two and five
years of age who can brush their teeth without swallowing toothpaste. Given how
many fluoride toothpastes are available for children, choose one with a
child-friendly, mild flavor to encourage brushing.
Singing songs or making games in order to stretch brushing
time out can always help with young children as well. It’s also important to
remember that, at this age, toddlers haven’t yet developed the needed dexterity
to brush their teeth properly, so be ready to assist.
Visiting the Dentist
Toddler years are a good time to start regular checkups with
the dentist, so parents should start bringing their child to a pediatric
dentist at least twice a year. Be forthcoming about dental issues the child may
have. If children are still using pacifiers, the pediatric dentist will likely
have a few tips for breaking the habit. They can also examine children's teeth
and provide the right guidance on the areas that need more thorough brushing to
prevent tooth decay.
Encouraging Dental-Healthy
Diets
Toddlers eat wider varieties of food compared to infants, so
making sure healthy choices like cheese, vegetables, and fruits make it into
their diets can enhance the children's oral health. Serve less fruit juice, and
try encouraging more water. Cutting down on sugary sweets as well can help to prevent
cavities and other dental issues.
While children are growing and developing their own unique
personalities, parents may run into resistance when it comes to developing a regular
oral healthcare routine. However, by applying parenting strategies and instilling
proper dental care early on, parents can help their children develop the right kind
of oral healthcare habits that last the rest of their lives.
If you are worried about the cost of dental bills, consider
signing up for our New Hampshire family discount dental plan. If you want to
find out how you can save as much as 20 percent off your dental bills, click
here.
Copyright:
oksun70
/ 123RF Stock Photo
