If you are looking for a fun way to teach your child about oral health, dentists recommend engaging in a few interactive activities. Educational endeavors disguised as games can explain how the teeth, jaw, tongue, and gums work. It can also inspire kids to brush and floss properly. Explore the list below for the best ways to show off the mouth anatomy and encourage better dental habits. 

Cavity Art 

Prevent pediatric cavities by getting creative with your child. Family dentists find that illustrating how a cavity spreads can explain the danger of poor oral health. Begin the demonstration by drawing a tooth on a piece of paper with a black permanent marker.

Next, use a watercolor marker in any color you’d like to place a spot on the tooth. Tell them that cavities are small holes that develop in the teeth and cause decay if they forget to brush and floss. Finally, drip a few droplets of water over the spot, showing them that overeating candy or avoiding the dentist can cause the hole to spread and hurt their tooth.

Taste Test 

The taste buds are an essential part of your child’s mouth anatomy. Teach them about which parts of their tongue taste sweet, salty, sour, and bitter by creating an at-home taste test. Find a healthy treat in your refrigerator or pantry that reflects each one of the four primary flavors.

Let them try each one with you while you explain how taste buds send messages to our brain and tell our bodies which types of food and drinks we like. You can also take time to explain that some foods aren’t good for our teeth, even if our taste buds like them. Revisit the importance of healthy choices and cleaning their teeth if they eat something sweet or salty. 

Self Portrait 

Use your smartphone or tablet to create a self-portrait of your child’s mouth. Ask them to open their jaw wide so you can snap a picture. Print the photo or display it on a large screen so you can go over the different parts of their oral anatomy, including their gums, tongue, lips, and teeth. If they enjoy drawing, they can recreate their picture on a piece of paper with crayons to see how much they remember. 

In addition to modeling proper brushing and flossing habits, there are a variety of ways to educate your child about good dental care at home. You can also positively influence how they care for their mouth anatomy by taking them to an excellent dental care professional. The dentists at Dental Clinic of Onalaska have two locations in Wisconsin to serve you. Make an appointment with one of their professionals by requesting a visit online. You can also learn more about their family and pediatric dental services by following them on Facebook.