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My Personal Hygiene
Words Jadesola Oginni
There’s a saying that prevention is better than cure. Good hygiene habits are key to ensuring that your child develops healthy habits. Avoiding all germs is unavoidable, however there are many things you can do to prepare your child for overall good hygiene.
Brush their tongue as well as their teeth, this removes bacteria and keeps the breath smelling fresh as well. Flossing is another key part of a child’s oral care and should be performed at least once a day. Schedule in a yearly dental appointment to determine if your child’s brushing habits are effective. Creating a personal hygiene routine can help a child develop better habits that transcends for the rest of their life. Good personal hygiene is necessary to keep clean and to kill germs that often cause you to become sick. Promoting personal hygiene in childhood is a form of wellness and helps to promote confidence and boldness. The practice of personal hygiene includes bathing, washing hands, brushing teeth, sickness care and toilet hygiene. Establishing good hygiene starts from what is seen around them, it is vital that adults are role models to children.
Regular baths and showers:
A child should be encouraged to have a bath or shower twice a day, before school and just before bedtime. Throughout the day we encounter so many germs and bacteria that can be easily avoided. This is the best time to encourage your child to wash all parts of their body, this can also be a fun way to teach them the different parts of the body. If your child dislikes bathing or showering you can try adding music, bubble machines or even floating bath toys of their choice. Children are susceptible to getting head lice, so they should be taught to wash their hair at least once or twice a week whilst in the shower.
Oral hygiene:
Strong oral care improves the overall health of your child’s teeth and helps them eat and talk without hassle. It is advised that after the age of 8 they can start brushing their teeth on their own. A soft tooth brush, a small dab of toothpaste with water is sufficient enough for a 2-3minute brushing period. It is important for your child to routinely
Toilet hygiene:
It is important for your child to maintain consistency when using the toilet whilst passing urine or opening their bowel. Teach your child to wipe their bottom thoroughly from front to back (boys and girls). Bowel movements contain bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections.
Hand hygiene:
Teach your child to wash their hands frequently most importantly after using the toilet, before eating, after playing outside, coughing or sneezing. Helping children realise that washing their hands prevents bacteria and other germs should be reinforced at all times. The World Health Organisation recommend washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds within 7 steps. Make-sure that hand sanitiser is only used if soap and water is not available but should not replace handwashing.
Nail hygiene:
Teaching your child healthy nail care tips helps clean out bacteria that can accumulate under their nails. Nail trimming can be stressful for both parent and child but it can be much easier than you think. Child nail clippers should be used or small scissors to prevent them from scratching their face or body. When clipping or cutting, press down on the tip of the finger pad to prevent the cutting of the skin. If there’s bleeding or signs of an infection make sure you seek medical help from a GP. Inform children that they should avoid biting their nails, you can help them find something else to focus on to minimise this.
Sickness hygiene:
Young children and teenagers are more susceptible to getting colds and other bugs throughout the year. There are many steps to help reduce this such as advising them to cover their mouth and nose when sneezing with a tissue and not their clothes or out in the open. Staying hydrated throughout the day when sick is also important and to aid in recovery.
Keeping the body clean has many positive effects on a child’s emotional and physical wellbeing. Parents and guardians play a crucial role in helping their child develop healthy personal hygiene habits.