Help children develop good dental habits



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February 9, 2019 | 7:06 p.m.

by Courtesy of StatePoint

Copying adult behavior is part of the development of childhood. Even if you do not always like it when your child repeats all that you say, you can use this to your advantage to adopt healthy dental habits.

"It's easier to teach young children good oral health habits than to demolish an older child with poor children. Encourage your children to take good care of their teeth by showing them how much you care, "says Dr. Michael Hahn, licensed dentist and national dental director of Cigna in the United States. "Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases in American children, but it is also largely preventable."

To help instill good dental health habits in children, Dr. Hahn suggests to parents and guardians to give the example in these terms:

• Regular dental checkups: More than a third of American adults aged 18 to 64 have not seen their dentist at least once in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Set a good example so that children do not skip dental exams as adults. Make an appointment with the family so that everyone goes to the dentist for routine checkups and cleanings. Be positive when talking with children, even if you have your own concerns about dental care. Consider the alternative: when you fail regular dental exams and cleanings, it becomes more likely that a small problem will enlarge and become more expensive to treat.

• Have your breakfast together: a healthy breakfast can set the tone for a healthy day and may even reduce the urge to eat sweet snacks later. Sugary, sticky snacks can stay on the teeth for hours, allowing bacteria and acids time to cause damage, resulting in tooth decay. Beyond breakfast, you can set a good example by preparing healthy and enjoyable lunches with fruits and vegetables for you and your children.

• Drinking water: Drinking water from your household's drinks will also help to limit your family's exposure to sugary alternatives. It can also provide a continuous way to rinse teeth between meals and after snacks, to limit the time that food particles remain on the teeth.

• Brush and floss: Follow the recommendations of the American Dental Association listed on their website, which recommend brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a month. day. Do not just remind your children to brush their teeth, join them from time to time so they can see that it can be fun. Incorporating a two-minute timer into the ritual can make it more of a game.

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