Children's Dental Health Month #13: Let your kids pick out the supplies

Let your kids pick out the supplies. There are lots of fun character toothbrushes and toothpastes on the market. Escort your kids to the store, and have them pick out their favorite. They'll be much more excited over brushing their teeth if they're excited about their toothbrush and toothpaste.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2127308_kids-brush-their-teeth.html#ixzz1DrE2caOP

Children's Dental Health Month Tip #12: Monitor thumb, finger and pacifier habits

Q: Why do children suck on fingers, pacifiers or other objects?

A: This type of sucking is completely normal for babies and young children. It provides security. For young babies, it is a way to make contact with and learn about the world. In fact, babies begin to suck on their fingers or thumbs even before they are born.

Q: Are these habits bad for the teeth and jaws?

A: Most children stop sucking on thumbs, pacifiers or other objects on their own between 2 and 4 years of age. However, some children continue these habits over long periods of time. In these children, the upper front teeth may tip toward the lip or not come in properly. Frequent or intense habits over a prolonged period of time can affect the way the child’s teeth bite together, as well as the growth of the jaws and bones that support the teeth.

Q: When should I worry about a sucking habit?

A: Your pediatric dentist will carefully watch the way your child’s teeth erupt and jaws develop, keeping the sucking habit in mind at all times. Because persistent habits may cause long term problems, intervention may be recommended for children beyond 3 years of age.

Q: What can I do to stop my child's habit?

A: Most children stop sucking habits on their own, but some children need the help of their parents and their pediatric dentist. When your child is old enough to understand the possible results of a sucking habit, your pediatric dentist can encourage your child to stop, as well as talk about what happens to the teeth and jaws if your child does not stop. This advice, coupled with support from parents, helps most children quit. If this approach does not work, your pediatric dentist may recommend ways to change the behavior, including a mouth appliance that interferes with sucking habits.

Q: Are pacifiers a safer habit for the teeth than thumbs or fingers?

A: Thumb, finger and pacifier sucking affect the teeth and jaws in essentially the same way. However, a pacifier habit often is easier to break.

http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/tfphabits.asp

Children's Dental Health Month Tip #11: Be mindful of dental infections

Symptoms of Oral Infections in Children

If your child has one or more of these symptoms then there may be some form of infection present that will need to be treated by a dentist:

•Toothache -- number one sign that something is amiss
•Red swollen gums
•Throbbing/gnawing pain -- especially when chewing
•Swelling in the jaw or face
•Area is warm to the touch
•Foul taste in mouth
•Continual bad breath, even after brushing

Children's Dental Health Month Tip #10: Help them floss

Start flossing your child's teeth once a day as soon as two teeth emerge that touch.  Most children lack the coordination to brush or floss their teeth on their own until about the age of 6 or 7. Up until this time, remember that the best way to teach a child how to brush their teeth is to lead by example. Allowing your child to watch you brush your teeth teaches the importance of good oral hygiene

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/brushing-flossing-child-teeth

Children's Dental Health Month Tip #9: Choose an age specific toothbrush

Choose one specifically designed for children's smaller hands and mouths. Look for large handles that can help children control the toothbrush.  Sonicare for Kids are excellent toothbrushes that make brushing fun for kids. 

Children's Dental Health Month Tip #8: Be a role model

Probably the most important step is to practice what you preach. Most children learn by watching their parents. When you try to teach a child good behavior, incorporate these same principals into your own everyday actions. Words that conflict with your actions can be confusing to developing minds.  So, show your child what a great oral hygiene regimen looks like. 

Children's Dental Health Month Tip #7: Avoid baby bottle tooth decay

Never put a baby to bed with a bottle of any liquid other than water. Milk and juices have acids and sugar in them, and they can quickly rot a baby’s teeth if they are in contact with these liquids all night long. Water is safe.