Homeschooling and Oral Health: What to Teach Your Child

Whether you were expecting to homeschool your child or COVID-19 led you to make the decision to keep them at home this year, you’re probably looking for unique ways to incorporate oral health for kids into their curriculum. Even if your child comes downstairs each morning in their pajamas to learn, it’s important they not only practice a good oral hygiene routine before they start the day but also, learn about what can happen to their teeth when they don’t. To help them get excited about brushing and flossing, check out these available resources you can begin teaching today.

Spark Their Interest with Science

No matter the age of your child, it’s likely that hands-on experiments will get their attention. A few activities you might consider incorporating into their science program include:

• Using a hard-boiled egg and letting it sit in a cup of soda and/or fruit juice. Over time, it will begin to discolor, showing kids the effects of dark-colored beverages on tooth enamel.
• Use yeast, warm water, and sugar to conduct an experiment. This will show your child how plaque forms and grows, ultimately attacking tooth enamel and causing cavities to form.

While not necessarily science-related, you could also have your child create a collage of magazine clippings. They can search for foods that are healthy for teeth and paste them onto a piece of poster board. You can then discuss how each type of food works to combat tooth decay, gum disease, and other common dental problems.

Boost Their Knowledge with Books

Depending on the age of your child, there are numerous books available that discuss everything from going to the dentist to the tooth fairy to why it’s important to care about oral health. These informational and educational books can help to ease anxiety and get them excited about seeing a dentist for regular dental checkups and cleanings. For more advanced readers, books about tooth anatomy might be interesting to those who enjoy learning about the makeup of teeth and other parts of the body.

By giving your child a book that focuses on oral health, you are showing them how their favorite characters put an emphasis on maintaining a healthy smile – something you might be surprised will inspire them to start brushing, flossing, and rinsing more often.

Introduce Visuals with Video

If your child learns better with the help of educational videos, you’re in luck. From short clips that include silly songs to 30-minute tapes about tooth anatomy, you can help your little one become more familiar with how teeth grow, develop, and stay healthy with proper care and maintenance. You may even find videos that discuss what to expect during a dental checkup and cleaning or ways to effectively brush to ensure all plaque and debris are removed from teeth and gums.

No matter the type of resources you use when teaching your child about oral health, just make sure they’re age-appropriate and spur their interest. You may be surprised how much they’ll begin to take better care of their own smile.

About the Author
Dr. Maggie Davis earned her undergraduate degree, her Doctor of Dental Medicine, and completed her pediatric residency at the University of Florida. As the chief pediatric resident, she graduated fourth in her class. As a board-certified pediatric dentist and diplomate in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, she is dedicated to the field and continues to pursue continuing education to expand her skills. She and Dr. Lorielle Alter lead a team of professional hygienists, assistants, and administrative staff, all of whom are available to offer guidance when it comes to engaging young children and expressing the importance of good oral hygiene at home. If you need help to get your little one excited about brushing, flossing, and rinsing, call our office at (727) 786-7551 or visit our website.