October is a pretty spooky month, even for parents. Not only do you have costumes to worry about, but you have to deal with the fear that your little one might develop cavities from all the candy they’re eating! Besides scheduling dental checkups for kids near Allen, there are a few other ways you can celebrate October, which also happens to be National Dental Hygiene Month. Continue reading to learn all about them.
Create a Rewards System for Brushing and Flossing
Kids may not inherently love brushing and flossing, but setting up a rewards system is a fun way to establish a healthy habit. Create a chart or calendar and place a sticker on it every time your little one remembers to brush and floss all by themselves. If they fill an entire week or month, reward them with a special activity or treat. Just be sure the treat isn’t sugary!
Rinse with Mouthwash
Here’s a fun fact: your teeth and gums make up less than half of your mouth. That means that brushing and flossing alone can only clean so much. That’s where rinsing with mouthwash comes in. It can clean the soft tissues in your kid’s mouth that their toothbrush and floss simply can’t. Take your child to the dental section of the drugstore and let them pick out their favorite flavor of mouthwash, like grape or cherry.
Offer Sugar-Free Gum as a Treat
Even if gum doesn’t have any sugar, your kids are going to love it (provided they’re old enough to chew it without swallowing it). In fact, the American Dental Association has suggested that chewing sugar-free gum for 10-20 minutes after a meal can help cut down on cavities. Why is that? The act of chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which rinses the mouth out of harmful bacteria and leftover food debris. Pack a stick of sugarless gum in your child’s lunchbox and instruct them to chew it after lunch.
National Dental Hygiene Month is in full swing, and your child’s oral health regimen should be too. In addition to following the tips listed above, be sure to book a teeth cleaning near Allen. It can leave your little one’s smile shining brighter!
About the Author
Dr. Russell Choy is a pediatric dentist near Allen who became Board-Certified in 2014. He practices at OPD Smiles in Lucas, TX. He understands that many people who are afraid of the dentist develop that fear in childhood, so he works to make his office a fun and safe place for kids to enjoy getting the dental care they need. To schedule your child’s next dental cleaning, click here or call (972) 646-7774.