Getting your kids to brush their teeth on a daily basis can be struggle for any parent. Kids of all ages have to be reminded to brush their teeth morning and night.
But parents can make it fun for kids where they want to brush their teeth! This will install a good dental hygiene routine at an early age and save you the chore of reminding your kids on a daily basis. It’s also important for kids to see a model of good, positive behavior from their parents.
It’s important to have the right tools in place for success and remember to stay diligent to keep your child on the right track! A solid brushing routine will help combat tooth decay and emphasize good dental practices into their adult years.
Here are some out-of-the-box ideas to make teeth brushing more fun for your kids!
Let your child pick out their toothbrush or pick one with bright colors or their favorite cartoon characters. Or if they are old enough, buy them an electric toothbrush, which can be more fun for kids. There are toothpastes tailored to children with flavors like strawberry, tooty fruity, bubble mint and many more.
Make brushing their teeth a fun game! Tell kids that they are fighting plaque and cavities every time they brush their teeth or create a story with your kid as a superhero.
Instead of timing your kids to make sure they brush for the correct length of time, sing a song with them. Popular choices include “This is the way we brush our teeth” or the alphabet song. Kids and adults should be brushing their teeth for a full 2 minutes.
Use a reward system with stickers for every day that they remember to brush their teeth without being asked. Once they get to a certain number, give them a little toy or prize.
Encourage kids to make bubbles while they are brushing, which means they are doing a good job. Have a bubble-making contest to add even more fun!
Use a favorite stuffed animal or doll as a model for the correct way to brush. Then, let your kids brush their toy’s teeth.
The easiest and most important way to make it fun for kids is to be patient, supportive and praise them when they are successful. Being encouraging will help those lessons stick with kids and make you both happy!
If you need additional help with your children’s brushing habits or have questions about any dental issues for your child or adolescent, call the professional staff at Dentistry for Children and Adolescents.
