Smile! Creative Ways to Promote Children’s Dental Health
Get Ready to Smile! Creative Ways to Improve Children’s Dental Health
Everyone on our team at Children's Dental Center of New Hampshire and Orthodontics Too believes that establishing good dental habits early in a child’s life leads to a lifetime of them enjoying a healthy smile. Whether you have an infant, active toddler, or curious preschooler, we have lots of creative ways to turn dental care into an exciting part of their life. We’re excited to share these ideas to help your family encourage and celebrate excellent oral hygiene habits.
Turn Flossing and Brushing Into an Exciting Family Event
Did you know you can make toothbrushing as much fun as playing a game? Try turning on your child’s favorite song and brushing your teeth together. Most children’s songs last two to three minutes, which is the ideal amount of time to brush their pearly whites.
You can also let your child feel more in control over their oral hygiene routine by letting them pick out a toothbrush with their favorite character. Don’t forget to include a toothpaste in their favorite flavor! Making a reward chart is another way to help your child earn incentives for taking good care of their smile.
Find Engaging Dental-themed Books to Read Together
Children’s books are perfect for making oral health topics entertaining and more relatable. Our team’s personal favorites are, "The Tooth Book" by Dr. Seuss and Alicia Padron’s book "Brush, Brush, Brush!". We love how both of these books share the importance of quality dental care in a fun and playful tone. If you find a different book your family loves, then have your child tell us all about it when they visit Children's Dental Center of New Hampshire and Orthodontics Too!
Plan Delicious, Tooth-friendly Snack Times
Teaching kids about a tooth-friendly diet is fun for the whole family. You can swap out sugary treats for crunchy veggies and fruits such as apples and carrots. Yogurt and cheese are excellent options for supporting stronger tooth enamel. To make snack time extra enticing, add some creativity to the treats by making smiley faces with slices of fruit. Or, you can cut sliced cheese or sandwiches into cute tooth shapes.
Pop Into the Dentist’s Office for a Fun Checkup
Starting dental visits early keeps them short, positive experiences. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child to the dentist by their first birthday or when they get that initial baby tooth. At Children's Dental Center of New Hampshire and Orthodontics Too, our children’s dentist uses age-appropriate practices to provide dental services to the littlest kids from infancy through preschool.
Enjoy a Fun Tooth Fairy Project
Turning dental discussions into hands-on experiences is more fun, and your child is more likely to remember the topics you talk about. You can make a tooth fairy pillow or decorative jar to help your child look forward to losing their baby teeth and growing up with a healthy smile.
Building healthy habits can be fun, and starting young helps your child develop good oral care strategies that last a lifetime. To learn more about our children’s dental services, contact us at (603) 554-9236 to schedule your child’s appointment with our friendly team!
