How to Use Dental Teaching Aids

Teaching a person how to floss properly will give them a breakthrough in dental hygiene.

Whether you are a dentist or a mom, teaching another person about dental hygiene can be a challenge. Most people who develop poor dental habits do so early in life and are reluctant to change them even with the threat of developing cavities and gum disease. One way to help people understand the importance of proper dental hygiene, as well as learn a few techniques, is to use dental teaching aids.

Instructions

1. Hand out pamphlets. Make sure they are ones that detail the ill effects of poor dental hygiene and provide easy solutions. These pamphlets should be colorful, easy to read and full of pictures. If you are not a dental professional, contact your dentist for any pamphlets he can give you for free.

2. Model "good" dental hygiene. Show the other person how to brush her teeth. Take a hands on approach. Do it yourself and then have her mimic you. Be sure to work with her until she gets it right. During the process, explain to her why you brush your teeth or floss them in a certain way and the benefits of it.

3. Refer the person to a website. This works especially well with children and adults who love the Internet. The American Dental Association's website has a lot of helpful information on oral health. It also has free games and posters.

4. Show informative videos. If you are a dentist, a video that will captivate patients is a "before" and "after" one. It can show common dental problems such as broken teeth, the process to fix them and the end results. Videos like these can help people who are afraid of getting certain dental procedures.

5. Give out free dental supplies. Most people enjoy getting a free toothbrush or floss. Be sure to explain the benefit of each item you give away and a way to use it effectively. It may feel silly, but it may surprise you to know how many people don't know how to properly brush their teeth.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are trying to teach a child about dental hygiene, you should plan on giving several lessons.

Resources

• American Dental Association