How To Encourage Your Child To Use Healthy Dental Habits Away From Home

It seems children would rather do anything other than cleaning teeth! It is up to the parents to encourage the absolute need for good dental hygiene. No matter what grade the child is entering, it is a time to start healthy dental habits. This can begin with parents providing health foods at home and continuing the practice throughout the school year.  Here are a few tips to assist with the process when the child is away from home.

Natural Foods

Natural foods are much easier on a child's teeth versus a candy bar. The damage to teeth occurs much quicker with those gooey products. Be sure to check the sugar content in pre-packaged snacks.

Try a balanced diet of whole grains, protein, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products daily. If a child sees this as normal behavior, it will seem normal while visiting a friend or going to school. This is a habit that must begin at a young age, so the products are normal in the mindset of a child.

Pack Dairy and Fruits

Many products can be purchased to provide good nutrition as well as having a yummy snack during a break or sleepover at a friend's home. It is a great idea to pack fruits such as raisins, apples, pears, and other similar items. You can also pack a dairy product such as a carton of milk or a package of string cheese. Make it interesting and switch a different product in the lunch box daily.

Provide Active Dental Care

Make it a routine to assist your child in a morning and nightly session so the proper methods of cleaning the teeth become a natural event. To keep the teeth pearly white takes a combined effort. Teach your child how to properly floss and do it with them. Observation makes a better teacher than just instructions in a book or on the television.

Psychology Works

If your child is determined to crave the sugary foods and not take care of the teeth, you can always use some  psychology.  Instilling the dreaded visit to the dentist to fill the cavities produced by the sweets may be all it takes. 

Be a Good Example 

Children also learn by examples. As a parent, take the extra time and brush right beside your child. Floss you teeth in the same manner. If you have cavities, show the child what happens with tooth decay. Provide a movie of what is done in a dentist's chair. This should do the trick. 

These are just a few ways you may be able to provide your child with good dental practices. Practice makes perfect, and so does good dental hygiene. A child will soon realize the importance of eating the right foods and cleaning the teeth at the sleepovers or other events and visiting a dentist, like Robert L. Edmonstone, DDS.