Encouraging your little ones to brush their teeth is important if you’d like them to develop good oral health habits as they get older. Unfortunately, not all children brush their teeth on a regular basis and many don’t brush them effectively. To teach the children in our area the importance of brushing their teeth, our practice manager, Shanna, and our treatment co-ordinator, Sophie, visited a local primary school to speak to their Year 1 pupils.  

Our fun-filled session on oral-care 

During their session, Shanna and Sophie shared lots of fun facts about teeth, how they look after us and what we can do to look after them. They discussed the importance of visiting the dentist and how dentists can help us clean areas that are difficult to reach, how they can look after our teeth and gums for us and help us repair any damage.  

Using models, the children were shown how to brush their teeth correctly, before getting the opportunity to try it themselves. The children showed great enthusiasm throughout and were delighted to receive a dental goody-bag to take home with them at the end! 

“The pupils had lots of questions during the session” said Shanna “and they demonstrated some fantastic toothbrushing on our tooth models.”

Why early dental care matters 

Explaining the importance of dental care to children helps set them up for a lifetime of good dental habits. Just 2 minutes in the morning and evening, with regular flossing and visits to a dentist, along with a balanced diet, will help keep their smile healthy and bright long into the future.  

Having a healthy smile is more than just about having clean teeth. A healthy smile is a useful smile, one that’s capable and free from discomfort. It’s also a confidence booster, a smile that they can wear proudly in any situation. Children should be free to grow and develop without worrying about their teeth but sadly cases of tooth decay in children are on the rise.   

According to Dentistry.co.uk, nearly 80% in healthcare report higher instances than usual of tooth decay in children! If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to cavities and in extreme cases, gum disease. These conditions can cause all kinds of unpleasant symptoms, as well as problems with confidence if they experience staining, gum recession or discomfort.  

Motivating healthy hygiene habits 

By teaching children the correct way to brush their teeth and an ideal routine to follow, they’ll take a greater interest in caring for their oral health making it much easier for them to retain happy, confident smiles. 

For parents of young children, we understand that it’s not always easy to encourage children to brush their teeth, so there are a number of things you can try to make it more exciting:  

Let them choose their own toothbrush – Asking your child to choose their own toothbrush gives them a sense of control which makes them feel valued and part of the process. A toothbrush decorated with their favourite characters is also more likely to motivate them.  

Make a game out of it – Use a timer or play their favourite song while they brush their teeth to encourage them to brush for the full two minutes.  

Reward their efforts – Try creating a brushing chart with stickers or rewards to celebrate their commitment. There are lots of pre-made charts available online, here’s one from NHS England.  

Making healthy, confident smiles the norm 

Shanna and Sophie had a wonderful time with the children and as a result, we look forward to organising more school visits like this in the future! Prevention is always better than cure so we will continue our efforts to support the local community in improving their dental care and making healthy, confident smiles the norm.  

If you or your children are in need of a check-up or would like some advice on how to create a healthy and exciting dental hygiene routine, call our team on 01268 742 333 to book an appointment.