When the weather warms and school lets out for summer, this can feel like paradise to kids. The lack of schedules and structure that comes naturally during the school year can present some challenges, though. Parents may worry about how to best ensure their kids stick to a dental care routine when a normal routine is off-kilter. Follow these tips to help your kids stay on course.

Please read our previous blog post for additional suggestions on kids’ summertime dental care.

BUY NEW DENTAL CARE TOOLS FOR THE SUMMER

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. Switch out kids’ toothbrushes about once a season too. That makes the start of summer the perfect time to give kids a new toothbrush. Present it as a present on the first day of summer to help motivate kids to get excited about their dental care habits for the season.

If you find that children have a difficult time getting motivated to brush their teeth, choose toothbrushes that feature favorite characters. For example, a child who loves Superman may suddenly want to spend more time brushing his or her teeth if you give them a toothbrush featuring the beloved superhero.

Giving kids floss and mouthwash in fun, fruity flavors for summer can help them look forward to nightly dental care. Just make sure to purchase mouthwash that has a childproof top and store it away from your kids.

CREATE A DENTAL CARE CALENDAR WITH YOUR KIDS

Set aside time to create a dental care calendar with your children. In fact, you may help each child make his or her own individual brushing calendar. Craft time is something that delights most children, so they are likely to love this idea. This is a win-win situation for all family members, and this will bring some fun to the idea of sticking to a dental care routine all summer.

Print a blank calendar template for each month of the summer or do it one month at a time. Gather glitter, glue, dental-themed stickers, crayons, markers, colored pencils, stamps, ink, and other fun things that children can use to creatively decorate their calendars. Supervise kids as they write the name of the month at the topic and make their calendars uniquely their own.

Instruct children to write their top two or three dental goals for the month at the top of the calendar. The goals should be simple and attainable. For example, a child who struggles to brush their teeth for the recommended two minutes each time may set a goal to start doing so. Encourage children to set realistic goals and praise their dedication to each goal.

Keep a stash of star stickers to reward kids for taking actions towards their dental care goals each day. Children may keep their dental care calendars in the bathroom or in their rooms. Then, each time they go to brush their teeth, have them bring out the calendar. Award children star stickers depending on how well they follow their dental care routine and work towards their goals.

LISTEN CAREFULLY TO KIDS’ CONCERNS

If a child has a habit of complaining about things in general, you can easily dismiss complaints about dental care. However, if a child complains about sensitivity when brushing their teeth or otherwise expresses a strong distaste for some aspect of dental care, ask questions. A dentist should assess tooth sensitivity and other dental issues that result in discomfort.

Finally, summer is a great time to schedule maintenance dental care for kids. If you make an appointment with your children’s dentist during the summer, you won’t have to worry about scheduling around school and many extracurricular activities. Contact Town Center Family Dental today to make appointments for your children.