Proper oral hygiene is a life skill that all children must learn if they are to have healthy gums and teeth. As a father, you know your son needs to pick up these skills, but sometimes it is difficult to get him to understand the importance of taking care of his teeth. Impressing upon him the necessity of good oral hygiene, and making sure he uses proper technique, will take some time and a little clever thinking. In that spirit, here are four valuable tips to help all of you fathers out there give your sons the gift of a winning smile.

Show Him the Ropes

Being just like dad is the one thing every little boy wants. Fathers are real-life superheroes in the eyes of their sons. That’s why it is important for you to participate in his daily hygiene routine. Stand beside him and teach him how to brush effectively by not pressing the bristles against his teeth too hard, and to move the brush in a circular motion. Show your son that flossing is not painful or scary by demonstrating how to correctly loop the wire around his teeth, gently scrubbing away plaque. Your son will love imitating you while learning these valuable skills.

Let Your Son Customize Their Experience

Your son has a boundless imagination, and an eager enthusiasm for the world. These precocious traits are lovable, but also make it difficult for him to focus on daily routines. Help your son to keep up his oral hygiene habits by allowing him to choose his own brush, toothpaste, and floss. Kids’ toothpastes are formulated to be less irritating, with tastes kids naturally crave. A brightly colored brush with his favorite cartoon characters makes brushing a fun activity for him, instead of a chore. Your son will feel like you are buying him a toy, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have helped reinforce a valuable life skill.

Accompany Your Son to Regular Checkups

Even the most studious brusher needs to see a dentist every six months for a deep cleaning. Your son may feel apprehensive about this. Dental clinics often have great music, sterile decor, and friendly staff members. A dentist in Statesville, NC, knows that your presence will reassure him that these necessary cleanings and checkups are in his best interest. You can help ease the tension by planning fun outings after the visit. You can also build a positive association with the dentist while strengthening your bond with your son.

Explain the Risks of Poor Oral Hygiene

While it may not be possible to explain the links between cardiovascular health and gum disease to a child, you can help your son understand the risks of not brushing regularly with helpful books and videos. Libraries, big box stores, and even your local dentist will have a selection of fun child-centric literature you can read with your son. Your little man will hear about the need for good oral hygiene from a lot of different sources, but hearing it from you will mean so much more to him.

Capping-Off the Tube

Teaching your son a skill that will benefit him for the entirety of his life is a privilege and a challenge. If you take these four tips into consideration, you will surely be successful. Brush with him as a bonding experience, and to show him how to do it properly. Let your son choose his own brush and toothpaste. Be a comforting presence at dental checkups to help form positive associations with professional cleanings, and explain the risks of improper oral hygiene so he is motivated to take care of his teeth. Your son can do this, and you can help.