'"My child is Mr. Independent and wants to do it himself, he throws a huge fit if I try to help!"

Typically, a child is not ready to brush on their own until he or she can tie their own shoes. Until then, they don't have the dexterity to brush properly without your help. Our team knows how difficult it can be to get a child to brush, brush well, and brush often. Be patient, and remember that you are setting them up for a lifetime of good oral health. Is it worth the battle? Yes!

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

First, remember that brushing your child's teeth does not hurt him or her, and not brushing will only cause more pain in the future. Try to think about toothbrushing the way you think about other things that have to be done, whether a child likes it or not. For example, some children kick and scream when they have to be buckled in a car seat, or hold hands when crossing the street, but we do it anyway because it's for their safety and well-being. Toothbrushing is something that must be done, without negotiation, for the well-being of your child.

Second, we know that when given a choice, children feel more in control of their situation and are more likely to do what is asked of them. For example, you can say "Mom is going to help you brush, would you like me to brush your top teeth or bottom teeth first?"  or you can say, "It's time to brush your teeth, would you like to brush in your bathroom or mine?" Allow your child to choose the song you listen to while brushing or give them the option to read an extra book if brush time goes smoothly. This will take time and practice, but soon will become second nature. When the option to say "no" is not there, kids will often be willing to do just what we are asking.

It is perfectly okay to force the toothbrushing routine with a child. Doing this consistently will teach a child that mom or dad make the rules, and that they are still okay after the brushing is over. Using lots of praise during the brushing, and giving a big hug and kiss after will reassure your child that you love and care for them, even when they are mad.

Each February, Smile Station Pediatric Dentistry participates in the National Children's Dental Health Month (NCDHM) campaign to educate children, parents, and teachers in our community about the benefits of good oral health habits. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children "Get On The Right Track" to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

This month our office will be visiting preschools and elementary schools across the metro area to encourage kids and their families to improve their oral health.  We hope that our visits will motivate kids to take care of their teeth for a lifetime and provide information to their parents about good oral hygiene habits and healthy food choices that limit tooth decay.

We hope that National Children's Dental Health Month motivates you to seek care for your child in a place where they feel comfortable and can learn that going to the dentist can actually be fun! Now is a great time to schedule your child's dental check-up with one of our board certified pediatric dentists, call 402-330-5535 today!

The beginning of a New Year is a great time to re-focus on healthy dental habits with your children. Developing a routine for your child's dental care early in their life is essential to ensuring proper life-long oral hygiene. Follow these tips to start the year off strong!

Visiting the dentist regularly can help prevent cavities and reinforce good dental hygiene practices.

It is important for your kids to get into a routine regarding their oral health.  Brushing two times a day for two minutes, and flossing twice a day is a must for a happy mouth.  If your kids are less than enthused by the idea of brushing and flossing, try to get them more excited by using a weekly checklist with a reward at the end of the week for following their routine.  Another way to make it fun is by creating a playlist to jam out and brush with all of the family during brush time. Oral health is important for everyone, but is doesn't have to be boring!

To really make the most of your child's new dental care routine, make sure to limit the number of sweets in order to prevent cavities from forming. Choose sweet treats such as apples, strawberries, pears and other fruits. To make fruits and veggies more appealing for young kids, try cutting the fruits into fun shapes.  Don't forget about the cheese! Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for little teeth.  It provides calcium and disrupts the development of cavities. Whole grain-based bread and snacks are also a great addition to keep up the healthy teeth work. As always, try to encourage kids to drink plenty of water instead of sports drinks and soda.

Halloween is almost here and with that comes trick or treating, classroom parties and other fun activities that involve candy and sweets! It'd be hard to tell your children that they can't have any of that candy they worked so hard for but did you know that certain types of candies can be more damaging to your children’s teeth than others?  Be sure to ask Dr. Bryan Hohenstein or Dr. Matt Schieber on your next visit for dentist approved candies and best practices.