5 Ways to Get Your Children Excited to Take Care of Their Teeth
Getting your kids ready to brush their teeth can pose a big challenge. Establishing exemplary oral hygiene is going to be essential for developing habits that are healthy for life. With the correct approach and some creativity on your end, you can easily turn this daily task into something your kiddos can look forward to–quite the adventure.
In this article, we will discuss five playful and creative ways that you can help encourage your kiddo to brush their teeth to make dental care enjoyable for you and your child.
1. Invest in Themed Toothpaste and a Toothbrush
An easy way to spark some excitement when brushing is to let your children pick out their toothbrush. When kids have a toothbrush that they like, they are going to be more likely to want to use it. Whether it is a toothbrush that features their favorite cartoon character or a colorful one that features lights and sounds, a special brush will make a whole world of difference. The same will go for toothpaste! Fun flavors like strawberry, bubblegum, or even watermelon can make brushing your kids’ teeth all the more enjoyable.
Brushing is a great first step; don’t forgo the importance of flossing. Flossing is going to help remove plaque buildup and food particles that brushing your teeth can miss, especially between your child’s tight teeth.
2. Make a Game Out of Brushing
Whoever said brushing can’t be fun? Turning the routine into a fun game is one of the best ways to engage your children. You can challenge your children to a “brush off” where the rules are the winner brushes the full two minutes without stopping. You can even do a less competitive competition by seeing who can make the funniest face when brushing. For tech wizards, there are apps you can download on your phone, like Toothsavers or Brush DJ, that will play music and show visual timers for the full two minutes will turn to brush your teeth into an interactive activity.
3. Brush Your Teeth as a Family
Children love to imitate their parents, which is why brushing your teeth together can make the task pain-free. Family brushing time can be a wonderful bonding experience and a great way to demonstrate to your children how important it is to take good care of your teeth. Kids are more likely to do something when they see that everyone else is also doing it! The more lighthearted the experience, like making silly faces or singing a family teeth-brushing song, the more your child is going to look forward to brushing every day.
4. Make Up a Dance Party or Sing Silly Songs
Speaking of singing, adding music to your brushing routine with your child is a wonderful way to make sure that your child brushes their teeth for the full two minutes. You can always sing made-up toothbrushing songs or sing popular, well-known songs like Raffi’s “Brush Your Teeth.” The catchy tunes will be a reminder to your children that brushing should last two minutes twice a day. Dancing while you are brushing your teeth can make the routine all the more fun and can help you create a fun and exciting routine. A fun dance to perform with your child in front of the mirror is a great method to add laughter to the day while helping to make sure their teeth are cleaned properly.
5. Reward Brushing That is Consistent
Setting up a reward chart can help to reinforce positive brushing habits. For example, every time your child brushes their teeth for the full two minutes, they get a sticker. Once they have reached their milestones, offer them a reward. The goal is to keep brushing fun when reinforcing the importance of oral care daily. The idea is that over time, your child will build a sense of accomplishment when they have done this routine, and brushing will become a natural part of their daily lives.
Bottom Line
Getting your kiddos excited about teeth brushing doesn’t have to be a battle. Utilizing some of these article highlights, like themed toothbrushes, turning brushing into a fun game, brushing as a family, and adding silly songs or rewards to the routine will help your child establish a healthy oral hygiene habit that can last a lifetime. Trust the professionals at Lolo Dentistry, the expert children’s dentist in the Western Montana area, to help you keep your child’s teeth healthy. There are three dental offices to serve you in Lolo, Frenchtown, and Superior for Mineral County, Montana, call us at 406-284-8669 for more information on procedures, dentistry, reviews, and more today!