Self-care is typically used to describe adults learning how to recenter, destress, and unwind with healthy habits. But have you ever thought about how beneficial self-care rituals can be for kids? International Self-Care Day is on July 24th, and it's a great opportunity for parents, healthcare providers, and children to motivate each other on their journeys toward physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Now more than ever, self-care is critical for people of all ages. After all, the pandemic wasn't just hectic, complicated, and uncertain for adults - children carried a big part of the burden as well.

We all need a moment to pause and take care of ourselves, full stop. And that includes kids.

One study from Brown University found that routines and habits in children are unlikely to vary after the age of 9. For most children, this takes firm root by the third grade. Healthcare providers can be a great asset for parents when it comes to helping their children develop self-care habits that will stick with them for a lifetime. Since forming healthy habits gets a little more difficult with every passing year, it's important to make it as easy as possible for kids to make good choices and learn how to take care of themselves.

As a dentist, parents trust your guidance and input when it comes to their child's dental health. They look to you for feedback and honest advice about how they can best encourage healthy oral habits at home. Here are a few tactics and tools you can utilize during pediatric appointments to help parents steer their kids in the right direction when it comes to habit development and smile care:

Don't criticize the technique, praise the effort. Who doesn't love a little positive reinforcement? As children learn a new skill, they might not get it right every time - but it's important to reward them when they try. Kids are getting the hang of proper brushing techniques, sticking to a schedule, and remembering to floss. Remind parents to encourage healthy habits more than they criticize any mistakes.

To make oral care a little easier (and more exciting!), SmileMakers has a range of options to choose from, including stickers, jewelry, sunglasses, figurines, and plush toys. What rewards will your little patients appreciate?

Practice makes perfect (and practice should be fun). It can be difficult to get kids excited about self-care, especially when it feels like a chore. Making the tasks of brushing and flossing feel more enjoyable and gratifying is key. Nothing makes a child more excited about brushing their teeth than fun toothbrushes, dental accessories, and brushing timers.  Let your pediatric patients choose from different themes: Disney princesses, superheroes, sea life, polka dots, and more!

Make it memorable. Every child is motivated in different ways to keep up with healthy oral habits. The trick is to find what works for each child and keep it interesting. Is your pediatric patient the curious type? Catch their attention with dental patient education essentials: books, puppets, and dental care models. More motivated by a fun, exciting showcase? Demonstrate proper brushing and flossing technique with one of SmileMaker's dental plush characters: Rex the Dinosaur, Sparkles the Monkey, or Finn the Shark. 

Oral care is part of self-care - if your mind and body are healthy, content, and at peace, it will undoubtedly prompt a smile. Teaching kids the importance of a dental care routine and encouraging healthy habits in a fun, exciting way will set them up for success in the future. SmileMakers tools, toys, and education essentials will make the self-care journey to optimal oral health easier and more enjoyable for kids and parents alike.