Few Tips To Help Your Kids Maintain Good Dental Care

Divorce Lawyer

A divorce is difficult on everyone involved, especially the children. If you are currently going through a divorce, it is important to check on your kids often. You should make sure that they are not neglecting their oral health.

Here are a few tips to help your kids maintain good dental care following a divorce.

Include Clear Rules for Dental Care in Your Parenting Agreement

The majority of parents establish a parenting agreement after a divorce so that they can be consistent with their rules and expectations. In the agreement, be clear about how your kids’ dental care should be handled. You and your ex-spouse need to determine how to best supervise your kids’ oral hygiene routine. For instance, if you have younger children, you or your ex may decide to watch them brush and floss their teeth very closely every day. Older children may not require that much supervision.

Additionally, you should also decide who will pay for future dental care appointments in the future, such as cleanings and braces. Determining who will pay for these treatments from the beginning can help avoid confusion and arguments later on.

Keep Regular Dental Appointments

Life after a divorce can be tough initially. However, that doesn’t mean you should skip important appointments, especially trips to the dentist. Your kids should have dental checkups twice a year to help maintain good oral health. If your children complain about going to the dentist’s office, reiterate the importance of regular checkups and how they will keep their teeth and gums healthy.

Obtain New Dental Insurance

Sometimes insurance policies are canceled after a divorce. If this is the case with your kids’ dental insurance, you should look into getting a new dental insurance policy as soon as possible. Dental care can be quite expensive, and dental insurance may be able to help offset some of those costs.

Buy Duplicates of Toothbrushes and Floss

If you and your ex will share custody of your kids, they will be going back and forth between two homes all the time. They may have difficulty keeping track of all their belongings when packing. You can make things a little easier on them by buying them a toothbrush and floss for each home.

Have Tooth-Friendly Foods Readily Available

Many kids like to snack throughout the day. Instead of having sugary snacks, like cookies and muffins, that aren’t good for their teeth, the dental professionals may suggest stocking your kitchen with tooth-friendly foods. Crunchy veggies and fruits, like apples and carrots, for example, can help scrub food particles and bacteria right off your teeth.

Give Small Rewards

There’s nothing wrong with giving your kids small rewards for maintaining good oral hygiene. For example, if you notice that your children have brushed their teeth for a full week without being asked, offer them a trip to the movies.

If it has been over six months since your kids’ last dental checkup, schedule an appointment today.

To learn more contact HR&K Family Law.