Any parent will tell you that maintaining a routine is absolutely essential for children to keep a household running smoothly, but of course, quarantine has thrown any semblance of normal right out the window. This can cause a lot of good habits to slide, particularly when it comes to a child’s oral hygiene. The last thing anyone wants to deal with right now is a cavity! Thankfully, there are a few simple things you can do to keep your child’s oral health in tip-top shape while also making brushing and flossing fun (gasp!) for the entire family.
Team Work Makes the Dream Work
In most households, children are sent to brush and floss by themselves once they reach a certain age, and parents enjoy the few moments of peace before brushing later and going to bed. If you’re having trouble getting your child to maintain their normal brushing time because they don’t have to get up as early for school anymore, a quick way to fix this is to simply brush with them. This allows you to set a good example and can be tremendously motivating for children, particularly very young ones. By turning oral hygiene into a family activity, you can squeeze in a few extra minutes of quality time with your child while ensuring they are keeping their mouth healthy.
Set Up Long-Term Rewards
While you shouldn’t bribe your child on a daily basis to brush and floss their teeth, a little incentive can go a long way if you do it right. Set up a calendar and mark each day that your child brushes and flosses, and once they reach a certain consecutive length of time (a week, a month), give them a little reward. This system has routine built into it, plus it adds a little fun to what otherwise could be a chore.
Hide the Snacks!
Every home has a few treats for children and parents to nibble on between meals, and while these are easily avoided while at school (or the office), it can be very tempting for children to chow down on any chips or candy because they are around them 24 hours a day right now, which can elevate their risk for cavities. That’s why it’s important that you hide (and maybe even lock up) all of the sweet/savory snacks you currently have. Make sure your children only enjoy these items occasionally, and always after a healthy meal so they won’t accidentally overindulge. With a little creativity, you can even turn the hidden snacks into a treasure hunt, because everyone is looking for new ways to kill time these days!
These helpful tips will reliably protect and preserve the lasting health of your child’s smile, giving you one less thing to worry about, which every parent can appreciate!
About the Author
Dr. Maryana Horokhivska started her dental career as an assistant here at Dental & Cosmetic Solutions, and she eventually rejoined our team as a dentist after getting her dental degree from the Case Western School of Dental Medicine, earning multiple Dean’s List awards along the way. She and her team are more than happy to provide the information and support Cleveland families need during these uncertain times. Right now, our practice is only accepting emergency appointments, but if you have a question about you or your child’s oral health, you’re invited to give us a call any time.