Maintaining proper dental hygiene is an important part of a child’s overall health. However, getting children to brush and floss their teeth can be quite a challenge. As parents or caregivers, it is our responsibility to teach our children how to properly take care of their teeth. Here are some tips on how to teach children to brush and floss their teeth properly.
Start early
It is never too early to start teaching your child about dental hygiene. Even before your child’s first tooth appears, you can start by gently wiping their gums with a damp cloth or gauze after each feeding. As soon as their first tooth erupts, you can introduce a soft-bristled toothbrush and begin brushing their teeth twice a day.
Make it fun
Children are more likely to cooperate when they are having fun. Turn brushing and flossing into a game or a song. Let them choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste with their favorite characters. Make it a family activity by brushing and flossing together. Use positive reinforcement and praise their efforts.
Show them how to do it
Children learn by example. Show them how to brush and floss properly by demonstrating the correct technique. For brushing, use a circular motion and brush all surfaces of the teeth, including the front, back, and top. For flossing, gently guide the floss between the teeth and slide it up and down along the sides of each tooth.
Supervise and assist
Until your child is around eight years old, they will need your assistance with brushing and flossing. Supervise their brushing to ensure they are using the correct technique and brushing for the recommended two minutes. Assist with flossing, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
Set a routine
Establish a routine for brushing and flossing. Brush twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. Set a timer for two minutes to ensure they are brushing for the recommended time. Floss once a day, preferably before bedtime. Make it a non-negotiable part of their daily routine.
Teaching children to brush and floss their teeth properly is essential for their dental and overall health. Start early, make it fun, show them how to do it, supervise and assist, and set a routine. With patience and consistency, you can help your child develop good dental hygiene habits that will last a lifetime.
As a parent, you want what’s best for your child, and that includes keeping them healthy and protected from disease. Childhood vaccinations are a crucial part of achieving this goal, as they can help prevent serious illnesses and even save lives. However, navigating the world of vaccinations can be overwhelming, and understanding what your child needs and when can be a challenge. This guide will provide you with the information you need to understand childhood vaccinations and make informed decisions about your child’s health.
What Are Childhood Vaccinations?
Childhood vaccinations are vaccines given to children to help protect them from certain diseases. Vaccines work by exposing the body to a weakened or inactive form of a virus or bacteria, allowing the immune system to recognize and fight the infection if the child is ever exposed to the actual disease in the future.
Common Childhood Vaccines
There are many different vaccines that your child may receive during their childhood, but some of the most common and important ones include:
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine: This vaccine protects against three different diseases, and is usually given in two doses, one at 12-15 months and another at 4-6 years.
Polio Vaccine: This vaccine protects against polio, a disease that can cause paralysis and even death. It is usually given in four doses, with the first three doses given at 2, 4, and 6 months, and the final dose given between 4-6 years.
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine: This vaccine protects against three different diseases, and is usually given in five doses, with the first three doses given at 2, 4, and 6 months, and the final two doses given at 15-18 months and 4-6 years.
Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) Vaccine: This vaccine protects against a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and pneumonia, and is usually given in three or four doses, with the first dose given at 2 months and the final dose given at 12-15 months.
Hepatitis B Vaccine: This vaccine protects against a virus that can cause liver disease, and is usually given in three doses, with the first dose given at birth and the final two doses given at 1-2 months and 6-18 months.
Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine: This vaccine protects against chickenpox, a highly contagious disease that can cause complications in some cases. It is usually given in two doses, with the first dose given at 12-15 months and the second dose given at 4-6 years.
Making the Decision to Vaccinate Your Child
While childhood vaccinations have been proven to be safe and effective, some parents may still have concerns or questions. It’s important to have open and honest conversations with your child’s healthcare provider to address any concerns or questions you may have. Additionally, it’s important to stay informed about the risks and benefits of vaccinations, and to make informed decisions that are best for your child’s health and well-being.
Childhood vaccinations are a critical part of keeping your child healthy and protected from disease. Understanding the most common and important vaccinations and making informed decisions about your child’s health can help ensure that they grow up healthy and strong. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider to learn more about which vaccinations are recommended for your child and when they should receive them.
Just to be clear at the start, this is not a medical advice website and if you have concerns for your little one consult your doctor or head to the hospital! What I am doing a quick post on today is the difference I have found between children’s Panadol and Children’s Nurofen (ibuprofen).
The reason I am writing this one today is that the little baby is down with the sniffles at the moment. Thankfully, because of our first daughter, I am well trained already. So here is what I think.
I NEED TO FIX THE PAIN FAST!
If you are in this situation, where your little one is in extreme discomfort then you want the quickest pain relief. For that, I will always run for the panadol. I just find it starts acting much much quicker than the Nurofen. You might be waiting for a little while for Nurofen to fully kick in and help with pain and discomfort.
WHY USE NUROFEN AT ALL?
Because it just works better than Panadol. I said it. The pain relief is better. It lasts longer. I think the kids even take it easier (at least the one we use). It’s just basically those times when pain relief is needed ASAP that I would prefer panadol.
The great news is, that you can use BOTH! If you need to, you can overlap the panadol and the Nurofen (make sure you follow all instructions on your medication or consult with the pharmacist or GP first!!) so when one is wearing off, the other one is just kicking in.
This combination has saved us a few times already. I hope this little discussion on the differences between Panadol and Nurofen have been helpful. To be honest they will both do the job!
If like me, you’re a parent with a child with past respiratory problems, then you’re invested in knowing when we can vaccinate our children against covid-19. To be fair, every parent is invested in knowing when we can afford our children the same protection from this coronavirus that those adults who are vaccinated can currently enjoy.
Good news for teenagers!
On May 10th, usage of covid-19 vaccines in adolescents (12 years and older) was approved by the American Food and Drug Administration. This does seem to be, however, under the emergency use provisions, so it’s unclear when vaccines may be approved for use in countries like Australia (where we are) and other places that are relatively covid free.
Vaccines coming soon for 2-11 year olds
It seems that there may be a possible (USA) approval for the Pfizer vaccine to be used under emergency provisions in 2-11-year-olds. This looks to be coming around September this year, which sounds like they are aiming to try and get approval before another American winter.
Uncertain future for Australian kids
So far Australia has been relatively lucky compared to the rest of the world and this pandemic. This certainly isn’t a Hollywood movie (like some politicians seem to see it as here in Australia) with them the starring role. Especially when we start to discuss opening up to the virus (and to the world) with an absolutely disastrous vaccination campaign.
Firstly, the Australian government failed to secure enough doses of different vaccines – instead they put all their money on the cheapest – Astra Zeneca. The one that sometimes causes blood clots. Yes, they’re very rare, but it has still hurt vaccine takeup here in Australia. This means if we open up without enough people vaccinated there may be a major outbreak which would mean deaths.
The most at risk may then no longer be adults, who had the options of being vaccinated, but the children (with no vaccine access) and those who refused to be vaccinated. As a human being, I would like things to return to normal and go overseas, but as a parent, I’m happy with closed borders.
Good luck with everything wherever you are in the world. Make sure to check with your doctor about any news for a vaccine for your child (possibly in the next 12-24 months). Also, make sure you vaccinate yourself too. The more of us that are vaccinated, the safer our children will be as vaccines have been shown to dramatically reduce transmission rates of Covid-19.
Let’s leave the conspiracies for the movies and get vaccinated TODAY (unless you’re in Australia and have no access to any vaccines!)
Intro from the original “The Stand” movie about a deadly flu outbreak. No covid didn’t come from a lab.
