10 Ways to Make Your Kids Teeth a Big Deal

A smile is worth a thousand words and a smile full of healthy teeth is most likely worth a million words. As someone who has struggled with their smile their whole life, I am finding myself the most unlikely advocate to my kids when it comes to regular oral care.

Looking at my smile you can clearly see that I am missing some teeth and have a visible gap. I am missing 3 teeth from my mouth that just never grew in, no idea why but it caused me a lot of issues as a child, teen and young adult. I have come to love and accept my smile now but it has been years of not laughing, covering my mouth when I smile and just being embarrassed to get to this point.

Even something like getting a job with my smile has been an issue. Going to school for Medical Office Administration I often feel that having a smile that was sub-par has made me lose out on positions. It’s pretty sad when you don’t feel like you can do a job you are trained because you are uncomfortable with your smile.

Although I do need to get future orthodontic care I know that I keep my teeth in tip-top condition my following a good oral routine. I am filled with pride when I get the all clear from my dentist at our twice-a-year cleaning appointments. Taking some time every day to get results that will hopefully last a lifetime is worth it to me.

Making sure my kids have the same experience with their dentist is important to me. We have used some of these methods ourselves to get our kids into a good routine and have crowdsourced some others. A lot of these tips are preventative so that your kids don’t get cavities and in turn have the best visit possible. 

10 Ways to Make Your Kids Teeth a Big Deal

1. Start brushing your kid’s teeth early to get them used to the process. We started by using a washcloth on their gums from the time they were babies so that they could get used to the process.
2. Get the kids fun tooth brushes and tooth pastes in their favourite characters so that they are excited about the process. It is easier to get them involved if they are excited. Remember to replace brushes every 3 months.
3. Get an app or sing a song to make sure they are brushing for the recommended amount of time. I often find singing silly songs makes them less likely to quit early.
4. Get your kids flossing the moment they can. There are lots of tools to make this job easier and it is important to your overall tooth health. This was a big problem for me as a child and trying to pick up a habit when you have neglected it for twenty-five years is very hard, so start your kids young.
5. Make sure you lead by example. Get your kids to come and brush first thing in the morning, after meals, and before bed alongside you. You are your kid’s best role model. Be a good one.
6. Take them along to your own (or their siblings) dentist appointments for cleanings and let them watch the process. Let them see just how easy AND pain-free it is so they are not scared to visit themselves.
7. Start them young. Ask your dentist when they want to see your kids and keep visits regular. They need to start this healthy habit early so that they can continue it without problems later. A dentist can help you detect early problems and help you prevent them from happening.
8. Never say negative things about the dentist. We have always talked about what a great lady is to the kids and they in turn love her as much as we do. The dentist is the key to keeping your mouth healthy and in turn keeping your whole body healthy.
9. Set up teeth brushing stations throughout the house. We have them in our washroom, powder room and the most used in our rushed mornings is the kitchen sink. It may not be the social norm but it allows us to get their teeth cleaned before they leave the house.
10. If they can’t do it themselves do it for them. I am all for independence when it is warranted. If I can see that my kids are not brushing well, I do it for them. This extra time is well worth it to have cavity-free kids.

April is Oral Health Month and if you have not made an appointment to get a regular check-up and cleaning I encourage you to do so. If you do not have a dentist you can find one here. By following the tips I give you and setting up a good oral care routine now you can “Make Your Kids Teeth a Big Deal”.

Have you visited your dentist recently? If no, what is stopping you?

Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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