Oral Hygiene Tips and Tricks for Kids

Oral Hygiene Tips and Tricks for Kids

Here at McKinney-Graham Dental Arts in Hickory, NC, we’re all about making dental hygiene routines fun, and doable for the whole family!

Here are some oral hygiene tips and tricks that we think will help keep your whole family smiling:

Set a good example for your kids! A great way to get your kids interested in taking care of their smile is to be a good example for them. If a child sees an adult taking care of their teeth, they are more likely to do the same!

Parents play an important role in helping their children to learn good hygiene habits that will lead to healthier teeth for life. Why not get them excited about the importance of healthy teeth from the very start?

Here are some tips and tricks to help your child get excited about caring for their oral health:

1. Explain the steps on how to brush and floss and how this will keep teeth healthy and clean. Make sure to use age-appropriate words and allow for question and answer time with your child.
2. Teach your child by example! While brushing and flossing your own teeth, let your child watch and ask any questions that come to mind. If your child has any questions, answer them by showing them how it works!
3. Keep a regular morning and bedtime dental brushing routine so your child knows it’s expected as part of their day.
4. Be creative! Choose a fun, child-size toothbrush that your child will look forward to using.
5. Let your child pick out their own toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. There are all kinds of colorful options to choose from that could be fun for a child! A child might enjoy colorful floss, a cool electric toothbrush, or even a toothbrush that lights up or has a cartoon character on it.
6. Make sure to use a soft-bristled brush with only a small amount of toothpaste, and don’t let the child swallow any excess toothpaste. Here’s a tip: have the child practice rinsing and spitting with only water before trying it with toothpaste.
7. It could be fun for the child to be able to put their own toothpaste on their toothbrush, but be sure to supervise so that they don’t use too much.
8. Make a game out of brushing. If you need some ideas, search for an app to use on your smartphone. There are all kinds of fun apps to help make brushing fun!
9. Sing a timed brushing song or tell a story while your child brushes.
10. Use a brushing app! There are ALL kinds of different apps. Here are just a few:

Disney Magic Timer by Oral-B

Brush DJ

Aquafresh Brush Time

What Makes a Great Family Dentist?

Having a great family dentist is essential for maintaining good oral health and creating a positive experience at the dentist’s office. A good family dentist should be knowledgeable, compassionate, and equipped with the latest dental technology. Here are some key traits that make a great family dentist!

1. Comprehensive Dental Care: A great family dentist should be able to offer a wide range of dental services, including routine cleanings, fillings, extractions, orthodontic treatment, and emergency dental care. This allows you to receive all of your dental care under one roof, making it convenient and efficient. Here are McKinney-Graham, we’re proud to offer Comprehensive Dental Care to our Hickory community and beyond!
2. Personalized Care: A great family dentist should take the time to get to know you and your dental needs, and provide personalized care that is tailored to your individual needs. This can include discussing your dental history, discussing your dental dreams and goals, and working with you to create a treatment plan that meets your specific needs.
3. Good Communication Skills: A great family dentist should have good communication skills, including the ability to explain dental procedures and treatments in an easy-to-understand manner. This helps to build trust and ensures that you feel comfortable and informed throughout your dental experience.
4. Compassionate and Caring: A great family dentist should be compassionate and caring, making you feel comfortable and at ease during your dental visits. This includes showing genuine concern for your well-being, being gentle during dental procedures, and making sure that you are never in pain or discomfort.
5. Latest Dental Technology: A great family dentist should use the latest and greatest dental technology to provide the best possible dental care. This includes digital X-rays, dental lasers, and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology, which can help to improve the accuracy and efficiency of dental treatments. Click here to learn more about some of the technology that we use at McKinney-Graham Dental Arts.
6. Kid-Friendly Environment: If you have children, it’s important to find a family dentist who is comfortable working with kids and has a kid-friendly environment. Here at McKinney-Graham we use fun, interactive techniques to help children feel more relaxed and comfortable during dental appointments.

A great family dentist should be knowledgeable, compassionate, and equipped with the latest dental technology. By choosing a family dentist who possesses these key traits, you can ensure that your dental health is in good hands and that you have a positive and stress-free experience at the dentist’s office.

Here at McKinney-Graham, our patients are part of the family! If you have any questions, leave us a comment below or give us a call, we’d love to talk with you! We’ll respond to to your questions, and we’d love to have an opportunity to meet you and see you here at McKinney-Graham Dental Arts. When you visit for your appointment, we’ll discuss a dental treatment plan that will be ideal for you.