PATIENT EDUCATION

Building Great Dental Habits For Your Family

Are you looking for a new family dentist in Edmond, OK? We are just the place for you. We understand that finding the right dentist office for your family can be tough, so we make things easier on you by helping you begin the process towards great oral care at home!

We understand that between busy schedules, kids’ activities, and your own responsibilities, keeping track of everyone’s smiles can be a challenge! Let’s spend some time today looking at ways that you can improve your family’s oral health simply by making it more of a priority in your house!

It Begins With YOU
Let’s face it, your kids aren’t going to be invested in their hygiene habits if you aren’t. They are looking to their parents for guidance. I recently heard a story of a mother asking her child to put on a seatbelt. The child looked at the mother and replied, “But you don’t wear yours!”

Kids notice everything, and they will be paying attention to your priorities. If you want your kids to prioritize their smiles, you must do the same!

Work Together
Beginning a great family dental plan involves working together. Maybe call a family meeting or simply begin the conversation around the dinner table one evening. Find out what your family thinks and then get started!

Allow the Kids to Help
Your kids have some great ideas, and they know what will motivate them! By giving your kids some ownership over the plan, you will see a group of kids who are much more willing to participate!

Create a Plan
Begin by creating a plan for your family. Each family needs to work on different things. Maybe your plan will involve waking up 10 minutes earlier so that everyone has a chance to brush thoroughly in the morning. Or maybe your family needs to work on brushing for longer periods of time, so you will be installing a timer in the bathroom.

Evaluate where you need improvement, and work from there! Your kids will help, and you will be surprised at how easy it is to get moving towards a healthier family.

Look for Ways to Improve
Even after your family has implemented a new plan of action, there will always be areas to improve. Once the actual hygiene routine is as it should be (morning and evening brushings lasting two minutes per session and an evening flossing), begin to look for other areas of improvement!

Snacks
The snacks you keep in your house could be having a huge impact on your kiddos! Snacks that are full of starches and sugar will affect their overall oral health. Get rid of some of that junk and make a move towards fresh fruits and vegetables as an after-school snack!

Beverages
Much like snack food, the beverages you keep will impact oral health. We have spoken about this before, but we cannot emphasize it enough! Juices, sports drinks, and soda are NOT good for routine consumption by ANYONE in your house, especially not your kids!

Try drinking more water throughout the day, and provide milk during meal times. This one switch can SAVE YOUR KIDS’ TEETH!

Routine
Finally, evaluate your routine regularly. It’s easy to begin a routine and then let it slack, so check back on a regular basis to make sure that your original plan is still working for you and your family. Adjust your routine as needed to ensure that everyone in your house has the time and opportunity to take great care of their smiles!

Let US Be Involved
We love family dentistry here at Santa Fe Dental. We would love to be involved in this process. Please let us know what questions you have, and set up appointments for your family so that we can check those smiles!

We are Here to Help
We are here to help. We know all about creating family routines and which hygiene habits should be highlighted. All you have to do is ask! Better yet, get your kids involved, and let them ask! Teach them to be advocates for their smiles at a young age, and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come.

We Have Solutions
We have the solutions that every family needs. We can take care of teeth from the time they first pop on the scene until they are no longer viable at a very old age. We offer exams, orthodontics, sedation, etc. to ensure that every member of your family gets exactly what they need when they need it.

Don’t spend another day worrying about how to improve your family’s oral health. It all begins with a phone call! Set up an appointment or consultation today, and let us help you make the changes you need! Contact us today to get started. We can’t wait to get to know you and your entire crew!