How to Get Kids to Care About Their Oral Care

Debi Rideout
It is important that kids care about their oral care, because good oral care is very important in having healthy teeth. Teeth can be damaged if they are not well taken care of. Plaque, a yellow substance, can build up on the teeth and destroy teeth and the gums. That is why it is so important that kids have good oral care. There are many ways to make kids care about their oral care.

Explain It to Them

Honestly one of the best things to make kids care about their oral care is to just sit them down and explain it to them. Tell them exactly what happens to their teeth if they do not perform simple oral care. Explain how awful it is to have bad oral care. Tell them exactly what happens when their teeth and gums are damaged due to lack of good dental care. Just be honest and tell them the facts.

Show Them Why

Not only should you explain how important it is to have good oral care, but try showing them bad oral care. Show them examples of it. For example, you can go online on a computer and show them pictures of people who have bad oral care. Show them damaged teeth. Seeing destroyed and damaged teeth may make kids want to take care of their teeth more.

Take Them to the Dentist

Make sure the child goes to a dentist. Let the child understand how important it is to have your teeth checked out. Most dentists want to see a kid a couple times a year. Ask the dentist to tell the child why it is important to have good oral care, too. It is important that you have support in trying to make kids care about their oral care.

Teach by Example

Be a good example if you want kids to care about their oral care. Kids often follow what they are being shown. If you are doing the right things in your own oral care, the child may want to do the same thing. It is one thing to say something, and it is another thing to actually do it. So be a good example about good oral care.

Guide Them

If you are trying to make kids care about their oral care, make sure they are doing their oral care properly. Go in with them when they are taking care of their oral care. Make sure that they are doing things properly. Show them how to brush their teeth, floss and use mouthwash correctly for good oral care. If they are doing it wrong, show them the right way. Teach them that good oral care is really simple to do. These are all ways to make kids care about their oral care. Be sure to praise and reward a child who performs proper dental care.

Source:
http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-floss-their-teeth/

Published by Debi Rideout

Debi Rideout is a freelance writer. She is a valuable content writer for Yahoo! Contributor Network. Her work has appeared on Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Shine, Yahoo! TV, Yahoo! Movies, Yahoo! Lifestyle, Yahoo! S...  View profile

3 Comments

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  • Rae Lynne Morvay11/16/2010

    I had the hardest time getting my middle child to remember to brush. When we took him to the orthodontist to get braces the orthodontist showed him a picture of a guy with sever tooth decay, he has been brushing regularly ever since.

  • Abby Willow11/14/2010

    What great advice! The kids rarely brush their teeth- and we forget to make them- oral health is a must for everyone!

  • Cathy A Montville11/12/2010

    Learn by example is the best advice! I just had my four grand kids overnight and I am always amazed that I do not have to get on them about brushing and flossing! It is great! Important article to be sure! Hope tings are well with you! :)

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