Here in the St. Charles and Creve Coeur areas, school is back in full swing for most kids. After a long summer break, it can be difficult to get your kids back in the routine of getting up early, being ready on time each day and in bed at the right time every night.
Setting the tone for your child’s routine can be quite a chore, especially when it comes to ensuring they are brushing their teeth daily. So, this blog provides some helpful tips to keep your child’s smile bright throughout the school year.
- Brush before or after breakfast. Whichever you choose, make sure to stick to it. Some people find it easier to have kids brush right after they wake up; while others find it’s better to wait until their children are more alert. But, keep in mind that you should wait to brush until 30 minutes after they eat breakfast if it includes anything acidic like orange juice. These acids soften tooth enamel so brushing right afterward may cause erosion.
- Brush before homework. Does your child often complain that once their homework is done they are too tired to brush their teeth? An easy fix is to have them brush before they start. If you can fit it into a routine that allots brushing time 30 minutes after dinner, that’s even better.
- Get to bed. Making sure your children are well-rested is key to getting them out of bed in the mornings. According to the National Sleep Foundation, preschoolers typically sleep 11 to 13 hours. From ages 6-13, children should sleep 9 to 11 hours and beyond age 13 they should be getting the standard 8 hours of rest.
- Floss at night. Don’t stack a lot of items in the mornings when you and your child may feel rushed. Instead, have your child floss when they brush at night and can focus on doing it right. Supervising your children and showing them the proper ways to brush and floss will help them develop good habits.
That’s really all there is to it! Keeping a good routine is all about practice; the more you do it, the better you will be at it!
