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Going Healthy, Health, Lifestyle, Parenting, Tips

3 Tips to Encourage Kids To Brush Their Teeth

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brushing teeth, dental hygiene, oral health

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Keeping your kids fit and healthy is something every parent aspires to do. This means showing them how to care for their bodies and the importance of exercise and movement for strong, healthy bodies. That being said, getting your kids on board with staying healthy, practicing good hygiene, or even eating their veggies isn’t always easy.

One such area that can be a bit of a battleground is teeth brushing; recent figures suggest that around 52% of 2-8-year-olds have had a cavity in their baby teeth while 57% of 12-19-year-olds have a cavity in their permanent teeth. With this in mind, it pays to have some tips in your parenting toolbox to help encourage good oral health for your child and teach them the responsibility of brushing their teeth and why it’s so important.

Lead By Example

The first tip to get your kids to brush their teeth is to lead by example. Always have them join you as much as possible when you brush your teeth from a young age so you can show them how to do so easily and so that they can see that this isn’t something you are forcing them to do but something you are actively doing too. While this might not work for all kids, setting an example and showing your children your dental care routine can help make it something more ordinary and simply a part of a routine, not torture.

Answer Questions

Answer any questions your child has at any age on brushing teeth, dental care, good oral hygiene, or anything relating to the mouth at all. If you don’t know the answer, find out together or ask your dental clinic for the answer. The more kids know about something, the less scary it can be when they have the information to hand. This is especially important if they need additional dental treatments or have crooked teeth, for example. Tell them why they need to brush their teeth, what happens if they don’t, what to expect from using different products, etc, anything and everything, even if they ask how elephants brush their teeth!

Allow Them To Pick Their Products

If brushing their teeth is something that is becoming a hot point or they need extra encouragement, allowing them to choose their own dental products can help you to get the ball rolling smoothly and avoid hiccups. The more choices they have, the more inclined they might be to use the products. Again, this won’t work for all kids, but for some, it’s having that bit of control to make the decision that can influence their decision to go ahead and brush their teeth or make this part of their day something they avoid.

While you know the importance of brushing your teeth, kids won’t automatically have the information unless you give it to them. For those fighting the twice-daily battle to keep their teeth clean, allowing them to gain more knowledge and control over the situation might help them out. For younger kids, starting as you mean can help you put healthy habits in place and get them on board easier.

Going Healthy, Health, Tips

What To Look For In A Dentist

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When you are looking for a new dentist, there are all sorts of things that you should pay close attention to. You of course want to make sure that you end up with someone that you can trust, whom you are going to be able to look to whenever you need any help at all with your dental wellbeing. This is something that can be hard to come by, but as long as you know roughly what to look for in a dentist, you should find that you are able to find it much more easily and effectively.

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Credit – CCO License

In this post, we are going to therefore discuss what to look for in a dentist. As long as you can find at least some of the following, you should be able to know that the dentist in question is one you can trust, and one that you are going to be able to look to whenever you need help.

Location

It sounds funny, but in the end one of the most important things of all is that you find a dentist that is in a good location for you. You need to be able to get there quickly and easily, and that is something that is going to be really important to consider. If they are not in a good location, then you might struggle to really appreciate them as the right dentist for you. This is probably the first thing to consider, because from there you can then narrow it down as well as you can, and then move on to other qualities that you might be looking for.

Trusted

The more trusted in the community your dentist of choice is, the easier you are going to find it to trust them with your own teeth and dental hygiene. But how can you find out whether they are trusted or not? Mostly this comes down to simply finding some online reviews and testimonials, and you should be able to find those relatively easily if you are looking for them as well as possible. You can also ask around with people you know who have been to that dentist, and this is obviously a very good way of being able to trust them. This kind of word of mouth is what you really want when you are looking for a dentist you can be happy with.

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Credit – CCO License

Price

Of course, price is also an important concern for most of us. The better the price is, the more likely it is that you are going to feel confident in your ability to go to that dentist whenever you need to. You should ask to see their price list early on, and many dentists will showcase this on their websites these days so that you can find it easily. Being able to get the help you need at a low cost is a wonderful thing, and something that is likely to figure highly when you are trying to find a dentist that you can be happy with.

Credentials

There are also credentials that dentists should have, and it’s probably a good idea to make sure that you are checking these before you actually have any work done by them. It is certainly the case that having some of the right credentials can be hugely important, and it’s something that you are going to want to think about if you are keen on looking after your teeth as well as possible. So make sure that you ask to see these early on, because it helps with being able to fully trust your dentist.

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Credit – CCO License

Consultation

Finally, the thing to do really is to make sure that you book in an initial consultation. This is the only way you can really be sure that you are happy with your dentist, and it’s going to mean that you can get a sense of what they are like, what your relationship with them is like, and so on. So book this in and go for it with an open mind. This is a great way to find out more about your dentist and to discover everything you need to know about them and how they work.

Those are the main things to consider when you are wondering what to look for in a dentist. As long as you have thought about those things, you should find that you are able to find a dentist that is right for you in no time at all.

Lifestyle, Tips

How To Choose the Right Horse Trailer Size for Your Needs

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Horse trailers provide a safe and comfortable way to transport your equine companions to events, on adventures, or to move them when necessary. With the many options in the market, such as horse trailers for sale in Canada, finding the perfect fit for your needs can seem like an impossible task. This blog post will provide some helpful tips for selecting your ideal horse trailer size.

Determine your specific needs.

The first step in choosing a suitable horse trailer is identifying your specific requirements. Are you a casual rider who only transports your horse occasionally, or are you a professional who frequently travels to shows and events? Will you need space for tack or living quarters? Assessing your typical use and frequency of transport will help narrow down the available options, making it easier to eliminate unsuitable designs.

Evaluate your horse’s size and weight.

Horses come in various breeds and sizes, each with distinct requirements for transportation. As a general guideline, consider that small ponies require at least 12 feet in length, while large horses may need trailers as long as 18 feet. Weight also plays a factor in determining the right trailer size, as too much weight can be hazardous for both the horses and the towing vehicle. Calculate an estimate of your horse’s weight (including required gear) to match it with a trailer designed for that load.

Factor in loading preferences.

Different horses have unique preferences when it comes to entering and exiting trailers. Some may feel more comfortable walking straight into a straight-load design, while others might prefer stepping up into a slant-load setup. It’s important to consider your horse’s needs so that they feel safe during their journey.

Budget considerations.

While it’s necessary to prioritize safety and comfort for your horses, budget constraints may also play a role in your decision-making process. Research available options within your price range and explore whether buying new or used trailers better suits your needs. Keep in mind that larger trailers typically cost more, but investing in the right size with adequate features will help ensure the safety and welfare of your equine friends.

Ventilation and lighting.

Proper ventilation is crucial for the comfort and well-being of your horse. Look for trailers with roof vents, side windows, or drop-down feed doors to promote adequate airflow. Additionally, ensure the trailer has sufficient interior lighting for visibility and safety during loading, unloading, and transport.

Evaluate towing capacity.

Before purchasing a horse trailer, it’s vital to understand your towing vehicle’s limitations. Research the weight limits it can tow and ensure that the combined weight of the trailer, horses, and equipment doesn’t exceed this threshold. Overloading your vehicle may lead to unsafe driving conditions and potential damage to both vehicles.

Seek advice from other horse owners.

Talking to fellow equestrians can provide invaluable guidance when searching for a suitable horse trailer. Ask about their experiences, what brands or models they prefer, and their preferred style. Collecting feedback from trusted sources will help inform your decision.