Dental health must start at a young age. As a mom of three boys, I already have unexpected things that if they were to happen would result in me kicking out a lot of cash. Therefore, the last thing I need to happen is an unexpected dental emergency, such as a cavity or other dental disease. All three of my boys have been practicing good dental hygiene before they could walk. Therefore, today I am sharing some of the ways that I was able to teach my kids good dental hygiene and why good dental hygiene is important.
But first, I am going to share with you a quick video on that my oldest son created to show off his dental hygiene routine with his new Tung Brush.
Start Early
When having my first son, my mom told me to make sure I always washed out his mouth with a clean and damp wash cloth to avoid thrush and then when he was a few months old she recommended using a baby finger toothbrush and an infant toothpaste twice a day. By starting them off earlier my boys were not scared during their very first dental visits and they behaved very well because they were already used to a dental routine that consisted of them brushing their teeth (or gums) from since before they could remember.
See Also: Baby Banana Brush Review
Lead by Example
Allowing your kids to see your brushing your teeth will encourage them to want to brush theirs. Trust me on this I know. I like to brush my teeth more than twice a day sometimes because my mouth will just feel dirty or whatever, and I head to brush my teeth. If one of the kids catch me brushing my teeth, they immediately want to start brushing theirs.
My most recent encounter of this was when I was trying out the Tung Brush. I couldn’t wait to give it a try the day it arrived and my youngest son walked in and started asking me what type of toothbrush it was and he wanted to brush his teeth too. This was a good thing, though.
This is because the Tung Brush is better at cleaning your tongue since it doesn’t make you gag as to if you were using your regular toothbrush. When you think about it, it makes perfect sense to have a separate toothbrush as well. This is because your tongue is very dirty and has high levels of bacteria residing on it. So, when you think about it do you want yourself or your kids cleaning their teeth with the same toothbrush that is used on your tongue?
Make Performing Dental Hygiene Fun
Make dental hygiene fun for kids and they will enjoy it more. For example, you could download an app that would allow brushing teeth to be somewhat game like, or you could download an app that would allow them to be rewarded for brushing their teeth consistently. The more fun something is, the more kids are going to want to do it.
Conclusion – The Importance of Practicing Good Dental Hygiene
Dental expenses are costly. Many insurances don’t cover everything. Therefore, practicing good dental hygiene from a young age is recommended to avoid having to have costly procedures performed down the line. Plus, things such as halitosis are real. However, in addition, to brushing your teeth, it is also important to teach your kids the importance of brushing their tongues as well.
I will end this post by showing you an information video provided by Brushy Bear.
How do you encourage your kids to practice good dental hygiene?
Awesome content and guide that every parents can follow through for their kids dental hygiene needs.
I totally agree that we have to set a good example to our little ones. We should make it fun. Those are great tips!
We started this out young in our kids. I* learned form my own family that if you do not start early, there can and will be issues. Great tips for getting them involved.
Good hygiene is such an important thing. You want to make sure those kids have healthy teeth for not just now but for the road ahead; especially at a young age where you pick up good and bad habits. Good job at instilling good ones.
My kids are ages 2 and 4, and my 4 year old has gotten really good. My two-year-old is getting there. Some days he hides his toothbrush or loses it because he takes it out of the bathroom. I got to stock up, so we can be more consistent.
I still struggle with this with my daughter. Some days she loves to brush and will let me do it and then there are other days when she doesn’t want anything to do with it.
Teaching kids to brush is so important. I still struggle at times with my 10 year old but it’s so important!
This is a great post on teaching the kids good dental hygiene. It is so important we all teach the kids good hygiene when they are young so they practice it throughout their life. I haven’t heard of the Tung Brush before but with have to share this information with my sister and my nieces for their kids. Thanks for sharing the awesome video and information.
I would have never thought about a separate brush for the tongue but it makes sense. My kids are pretty good about brushing and flossing.
This is awesome! Dental hygiene is so important. I’ve always made sure my kids were on top of it as well as myself, its a must! Bad teeth run in my family so its something to be on top of always.
Dental hygiene is very important! I have taught my kids at very young age to take care of their teeth
It is so important to practice proper dental hygiene. I encourage my kids to brush their teeth twice every day. We use kid’s toothbrushes with characters- that helps motivate them.
This is so important, because a lot of people don’t realize that their overall health is linked to their oral health too!
My granddaughter love to brush her teeth. Shes only 2 and does it everyday.
This is such an important topic. I started “brushing” with my son before his teeth came in. Always had one of those brushes that I put on my finger and brushed the gums.
Jacqui,
Same here. It seems like ages ago now since I used the finger brushes, though.
Luckily my son loves brushing his teeth! I love the idea of that app though! I’ll have to download it!
LEad by example is perfect. We did start the kids out young and getting them use to brushing their teeth.
Absolutely! Great hygiene is so important. We have a daily routine and I keep it consistent. I think that is super important. Thanks for the tips.
It’s definitely good to make it a routine early on. That way the habit catches on quickly.
My mom was a dental assistant and always told us brushing out tongues was so important, I need to pass that lesson on to my Kiddies for sure!
The girls and I always brush our teeth together when they are over. I agree it’s so important to start early and help them understand the importance. Besides, they like to do what we do anyways.
Yeah, I thought my girls early as well about the importance of good dental hygiene. Whenever we go to the dentist, their teeth are always in great shape. Only expense I have to look forward to is braces for my youngest daughter.
#ProductReviewParty
Lou,
Oh no braces. But, they have advanced over the years with more options. So, far none of the boys need them, but my youngest still sucks his fingers and I am worried if he doesn’t stop soon he may be needing braces down the line.
This is great! Dental hygiene should be taught early so that it becomes a life long good habit.
I agree, start early and make it fun, then it’s not looked at as a chore. #ProductReviewParty
We’re both hoping our newborn won’t have any issues with the toothbrush. Fingers crossed.
I think this is an important lesson. You are right though! Got to lead by an example.
Oh my gosh, I’ve never seen this before but I love the idea of it. Looks like it get you tongue really clean!
Stacie,
It really does. I have been using my brush daily and my boys actually like using it too.
I love this!!! So important to teach them young and to make sure that they stay on top of it and understand the importance of it.
Great post! I’m glad I don’t have to argue with my kids to brush their teeth.
Thank you for helping us to know how to take care of our teeth thank you 🙂
All of the people should have to take on their teeth. Thank you for sharing 🙂 I’ll share it to the people that surrounds me 🙂
It’s important to teach children the importance of hygiene as soon as they can understand it!
My boys still need help with brushing. I allow them to brush with my help
That was a difficult job for me and my son. But now he cares a lot about his detal hygiene and that’s amazing!
We would have to encourage them and teach them what could happen when they don’t care of their teeth. These are pretty good steps!
I think these are great ways to establish good dental hygiene habits. My kids did not like brushing their teeth in the beginning!
Teaching kids to brush their teeth often is a must. It’s important that they know how to take care of their teeth as early as possible.