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Tips for Teaching Oral Hygiene to Kids After Dental Assistant Courses

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From taking part in fun activities to meeting new friends, childhood is full of joyous moments. Kids have a lot to get excited about, from learning new things at school to many long hours of play and activities in the afternoon and evenings. Sadly, this can make it difficult to maintain their concentration and interest when it comes to oral hygiene.

Dental assistants play an important role in providing advice to children and parents during checkups and other oral health procedures. The eating and teeth cleaning habits developed during childhood will often carry through to adulthood, so it’s important to make sure that they are brushing, flossing and rinsing correctly from an early age.

Dental professionals may only see children a few times a year, but there are still many helpful tips which they can pass on. Read on to find out what they are.

Dental Assistant Course Grads Teach Children about the Importance of Healthy Eating for Teeth

The best way for kids to avoid dental problems is to take preventative measures. After completing dental assistant courses, graduates are in a wonderful position to offer advice on healthy eating to young clients.

When it comes to oral hygiene, sugary drinks are a significant contributor to cavities and tooth decay. Tell children about the importance of drinking plenty of water during the day, and to enjoy sodas and sugary fruit drinks as treats only on rare occasions. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children six years old and under drink only one small glass of juice per day, and one large glass for kids aged between 7 and 18 years old. Inform them that the maintenance of strong and healthy teeth will allow them to enjoy their favourite foods for many more years.

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 Encourage kids and parents to substitute water for juice

Use Fun Methods to Teach Children How to Brush Their Teeth Properly

Even if a child is eating and drinking healthily, they still have to routinely care for their teeth through regular brushing. Dental assistants should question children about their brushing method and habits to make sure that all teeth are being cleaned twice per day. You can do this by demonstrating the proper technique on some fake plastic teeth. Don’t forget to teach children about the importance of flossing, too. This can be a tricky skill to master, so give kids a few tips on how to floss in hard-to-reach areas.

Kids love their toys, so you can also try and use them to promote positive oral hygiene. For example, you could convince your young clients to look after the teeth on their favourite toy. Getting them in this habit could be a fun way of encouraging them to embrace a regular routine.

Get Parents Involved in Establishing Good Oral Hygiene Practices for Children

Dental assistant program graduates can only have limited oversight of the oral hygiene practices of their clients. Parents must play their part in making sure that children are continuing to look after their teeth in between checkups, so dental professionals should also offer them plenty of advice. Encourage parents to keep a close eye on their children’s teeth cleaning habits. They can do this by brushing and flossing their teeth alongside their children in the morning and evening.

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 Encourage parents to join their children while brushing teeth

It’s recommended that brushing last for two minutes, so parents could introduce a timer during this process. They could also hum a two minute tune with their kids to introduce some fun to the activity. Parents should also make sure children are using a suitable toothbrush, and can even let them pick one out themselves. It’s easy to find colourful, fun toothbrushes that kids will love!

Introduce children to good oral hygiene habits after completing a dental assistant course.

Find out more about our in-depth diploma program at Oxford College.

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