How To Make Dental Health A Family Priority
It's no secret that good dental hygiene is one of the keys of good overall health. In fact, improper care of your mouth can lead to serious disease and even death. Heart attack, stroke, diabetes and respiratory diseases are some of the dangers that can occur when you don't take good care of your teeth and gums. On a less dramatic scale, poor dental care can just make your breath smell stinky! Here are some ideas that might inspire your family to make good dental health a priority.
Have A Family Meeting - No matter how young your children are, they will benefit from your family plan. Think about making a poster with these points.
- Set some rules. Consider explaining that the word treat implies something that you get every now and then. Help your children realize that desserts and other sweets are not going to be a part of their everyday menus. Instead, offer fruit slices, nuts, and cut up veggies with nutritious dips.
- Make brushing a habit. Another important point is that all family members brush after every meal and after snacks. If you're lucky, that means they'll brush at least twice a day.
- Use gum. Consider putting sugar-free gum in the kids' lunch boxes. Sugar-free gum is actually a good thing when you can't brush your teeth. However, remember that it doesn't replace brushing!
- {Teach correct flossing habits. Flossing is extremely important, too, but it may be hard for little fingers to do it. Work with them until they're ready to do it all by themselves. One idea is to give them a piece of floss and ask them to work on their teeth while they're in the bathtub. That will build a routine that they can follow forever.
Find A Family-Friendly Dentist - Simplify your lives by having one dentist for every member of the family.
- Start your children at the dentist even before they actually need to have dental work performed. Just sitting in the dental chair and feeling the dentist's fingers and the dental tools in their little mouths will prepare them for the real thing.
- Schedule examinations every six months. In fact, a good idea is to schedule the next appointment after your current visit. Allowing time for each family member to be seen on the same day will save you time and gasoline.
- Know the staff. The dental hygienist will probably be the person who cleans teeth and who takes x-rays when that is necessary. The actual dentist will then follow up by checking the mouth carefully to make sure there are no problem spots.
- Be close by. In most cases, your children can go back to the dental office by themselves. Just be close by, in case you are needed.
Each of you will probably go home with a new toothbrush, a little tube of toothpaste, and some floss. Kids often get to choose a toy or receive one in their goody bag. It's almost like going to a party! For more information, call a professional like Comfort Dental.
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