Now's your chance to establish a great habit in your child -- taking care of his teeth! Don't you wish that you had brushed a bit more and avoided some childhood cavities? Use this dental care tracker to get your child into the habit of keeping his own teeth clean and staying healthy!
Child dental care
Cavities aren't an inevitable part of childhood. They can be avoided with these tips:
Make brushing fun! Buy a colourful toothbrush with your child's favourite character. Some toothbrushes even come with timers and flashing lights!
Set a good example. Your child takes cues from you -- act like brushing your teeth is a really fun thing to do, and he'll think it's fun too.
Start early. Make it a habit to set up dental visits for your child twice each year. This will give the dentist the chance to catch problems early, and your child will become accustomed to the visits.
Be consistent. It shouldn't even be a question if your child brushes his teeth at night. It's just like putting on shoes before you leave the house. If you never relent about brushing teeth, your toddler won't even know he can protest.
Remember your reasons. Brushing has a function. If your toddler ever asks you why he has to brush all the time, be prepared with reasons (cavity prevention, pleasant breath, pretty smile).
Dental care tracker
Ideally, your child should brush for two minutes after every meal. Of course that's not always possible, but at least aim for brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Use colourful stickers to mark on this chart when your toddler brushes or flosses.
1st brush
2nd brush
3rd brush and floss
Week: _________
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Week: _________
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Week: _________
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Week: _________
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
