Saturday, July 11, 2015

The Stress Free Approach Towards Great Brushing Habits


 
               What makes a great habit?  It has been said that it takes around 21 days to form a new habit.  So what does that mean for your child when trying to form brushing habits? Young and Polite Children’s Dentistry encourages routine brushing habits for all of our patients.

                Brushing is best if done for 2 minutes.  Children and many adults have a hard time brushing for the complete two minutes.  If you have a timer from the kitchen dig it out of the junk drawer, a stop watch, or even a sand filled timer, it is time to put it to use. 
 
               Challenge yourself to brush for the full two minutes. Make it a competition to see who can brush for the recommended time, you or your child? You will be surprised at how quickly and inefficiently most of us brush.  Making an effort for your child to see the routines that are important for a healthy lifestyle are important from a young age.

                Part of seeing you, as the caregiver have a routine is providing consistency.  Children love consistency. Do you have a set time your child brushes his/her teeth every night?  Set up a morning routine for your child and an evening routine.  Summer time is a great time to establish these routines.  Without the rush to be off to school, and the homework plus activities keeping us overwhelmed in the evening.  Take the summer weeks to make small changes at first to your routine and then provide consistency.  If your bedtime routine is snack, brush your teeth and one short book before bed then stick to the plan. Reward your child with positive words for doing a great job! One of the many things we use daily at Young and Polite Children’s Dentistry is the use of positive words and encouragement!
                For more information and all things dental for you and your little check us out on Facebook, and make sure to follow the blogs from Young and Polite Children’s Dentistry.  If you need help with ways to create brushing routines ask one of our staff members at your next visit at any of our locations in Waxhaw, Mint Hill or the S.Tryon area.

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