Asking Questions: An Easy Way To Talk About Smile Care With Kids

Posted February 8, 2019

When you find yourself saying every morning, “Go brush your teeth!” and every evening, “Go brush your teeth, please!” and at some point each day, “Remember to floss!” you may feel like a broken record. You may also wonder if your kids would bother caring for their smiles without your prompt and consistent reminders. One way to consider approaching speaking with your kids about their smiles, in regard to preventive care and more, is by asking questions. Learn more about what our Dallas, TX team means and you may find that this helps you hand over a bit of responsibility to your kiddos, while communication becomes easier!

Ask: Did You Brush Your Teeth?

When you remind your kids to brush their teeth, they are relying on you to direct them. For very little kids, this is par for the course! However, for older kids who have the ability to know when they should brush and that they are supposed to be doing it (this includes flossing, too), giving them the room to do it on their own, followed by checking in with them, may give you the shift you need. You hand over responsibility to them and then simply ask whether they’ve followed through. If the answer is, “Yes,” then you can sit back, relax, smile (and maybe occasionally ensure they really are practicing their preventive care). If the answer is, “No,” then you may follow through with reminders, by asking why, or by handling the situation however you wish. The end goal, we remind you, is for your children to eventually brush and floss without reminders.

Ask: How’s Your Smile Doing?

Now, you want to know how your child’s smile is doing. You hope that all is well. The best way to begin is by simply asking, “How is your smile doing?” That way, you’re giving your child a chance to come up with his or her own words to communicate with you and to give you an idea of what your child thinks about preventive care, whether changes have occurred, etc. Maybe your child will say, “It’s good!” Maybe your kiddo will say, “My tooth hurts!” In any case, you will learn more without prompting a particular response. You may then go from there!

Ask: Do You Need Anything?

Your child may not necessarily know how to respond to this! However, it’s also very possible that your child will say, “Oh, yeah! I’m almost out of toothpaste!” Again, over time, your child may begin letting you know without being prompted that it’s almost time for a new toothbrush, toothpaste, etc., without assuming you will simply keep the bathroom stocked. Our team also suggests that you bring your children shopping with you and they will create this mental connection even sooner!

See Us For Help With Children’s Preventive Care

Make communicating with your children easy by remembering to ask lots of questions about smile care, so your kiddos may learn to become independent and effective brushers and flossers! Schedule a visit with your Dallas, TX children’s dentist, Dr. Marr at Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda by calling 214-321-4880. We proudly welcome patients from Dallas, TX, and all surrounding communities, including Casa Linda, Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Forest Hills, East Dallas, Mesquite, Garland, Richardson, and more.