Are you homeschooling your child as a result of COVID-19? Are they finding it to be more difficult to put forth the effort to get ready in the mornings? Whether it’s struggling to put on real clothes or brush their teeth, you’re probably looking for ways to encourage good oral health for kids during this time. Fortunately, there are numerous resources available that can not only help your child’s smile stay healthy but as a result, make them more likely to remain focused and achieve academic success. Read on to find out what you can do to teach your child about the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums while at home.
Incorporating Educational Books About Oral Hygiene
If you have a child in elementary school and are looking for ways to incorporating oral hygiene into their curriculum, there are numerous books available that discuss the importance of going to the dentist, the Tooth Fairy, and why it’s important to take care of teeth. When children see their favorite characters stressing the need to brush, floss, and rinse, they will be much more likely to do the same. This same premise can be used when helping your child pick out their first toothbrush or toothpaste. Finding characters or superheroes who are featured on oral hygiene products will encourage your child to take the next step in maintaining better oral health.
Conducting Experiments and Activities
Want to bring science and dentistry together in your classroom at home? Try experimenting with a hard-boiled egg to show your child what happens to tooth enamel when exposed to soda or fruit juice. You might even try using yeast, warm water, and sugar to grow plaque and discuss how it attacks tooth enamel.
Other helpful ideas include making a collage from magazine clippings that display foods guaranteed to build healthy smiles, using playdough to mold teeth and gums and teach children about the location of teeth, and even using cardboard and egg cartons to help little ones practice brushing.
Streaming Videos About Dental Visits and Tooth Anatomy
If you need some educational videos to incorporate into your child’s school day, YouTube and various streaming services have ones that will give your child greater insight into the anatomy of a tooth and how they grow and develop over time. You can also find short movies that have silly songs and stories focusing on visiting the dentist.
When choosing the right resources for your child to learn about oral health, make sure they are age-appropriate as well as fun and exciting. How they learn, whether through hands-on experiments, videos, books, or research, will give you a better idea of which methods to use when incorporating this topic into your child’s curriculum.
About the Authors
Want to keep your child’s smile looking and feeling its best? Dr. Venn Peterson and Dr. Spenser Cammack are family dentists who know exactly what it takes to keep young teeth and gums cavity- and disease-free. Whether they’re currently attending school in-person or at home on the computer, you can help your little one stay focused on their studies while ensuring their oral health remains in optimal condition. Our team can provide helpful tips, tricks, and resources to encourage proper oral hygiene habits at home no matter if they’re learning in the most stylish outfit or last night’s pajamas. If you need help keeping your child on track with brushing, flossing, and rinsing, call our office at (360) 459-4420.