Getting kids to brush their teeth can sometimes be like trying to pull teeth! It may be times when they seem too busy, too exhausted, or just don’t grasp the purpose of brushing, but there is no questioning that healthy oral hygiene would prevent cavities, gum disease, or other related dental problems. So the importance of enforcing brushing on a daily basis cannot be overlooked.
At Cure Dental, we understand all the frustrations parents face as they are trying to help their children get into healthy dental habits. In this blog, we share with you five helpful tips that will make brushing fun, easy, and, most importantly, something your child will want to do!
5 Tips on How to Get Your Kids to Brush Their Teeth
1. Make Brushing Fun with a Positive Routine
Kids love routines, and when brushing is part of a fun and predictable routine, they’re more likely to enjoy it. Try turning the task into a game or adding an element of excitement to the process. Here are a few ideas to make brushing feel like less of a chore:
Brushing Songs: There are several very catchy songs that a person can brush teeth by while singing. One example of such songs would be two-minute songs that allow you to inform your child when the song ends it’s time to rinse and spit. You could even make a silly song up with your child to brush with and sing.
Toothbrush Timer: Teach your child to set a fun timer by your sink, maybe one in the shape of a sand timer or an animated toothbrush. Flip the timer to start each day; taking turns helps your child retain ownership of the brushing time.
The more playful you can make brushing your child’s teeth and as predictable as possible, you will find it will likely be much easier getting her to brush without protesting it.
2. Let Your Kids Decide on Their Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Let your children decide on their own toothbrush and toothpaste. More than likely, kids get excited about brushing their teeth when they get to make the decision about what product they use.
Fun designs: Let them choose toothbrushes with their favorite colors or characters: maybe dinosaurs, princesses, superheroes, or animals? There are so many colorful and fun options out there that kids love.
Flavoured Toothpaste: A few kids are very sensitive to the taste of toothpaste. Look for a kid-friendly toothpaste that has funny flavors like bubblegum, strawberry, or watermelon. The fun tastes make brushing seem more fun and less of a drag.
The bottom line is to make the experience as enjoyable and engaging as possible. When kids feel ownership, they are more likely to follow through.
3. Set the Example – Be the Role Model!
Children learn by example, and what do they see when Mommy or Daddy brush her or his teeth? Perhaps then it becomes a social family event rather than the usual boring solitary activity at bed-time.
Brush Together: Set an example by brushing your teeth at the same time. Make the child realize that oral hygiene is essential for all the members of the family and not just for them.
Make It a Family Habit: Use this time to talk and bond while brushing. This can make the experience more enjoyable for your child and reinforce the idea that it’s a normal part of the daily routine.
Brushing together not only presents a good example but also makes your child feel a part of the process and, perhaps, even enjoy doing it with you.
4. Give Rewards and Positive Reinforcement
The most powerful motivator for a child to keep up with their brushing routine is through positive reinforcement. Do not dwell on what would happen if they do not brush, but praise them for the effort made through rewards.
Sticker charts: Create a fun chart where your child can earn a sticker every time he or she brushes. After they have earned a number of stickers, give a small reward, such as an extra bedtime story or a special outing.
Acknowledgement and Appreciation: Do not forget to reward him/her with lots of appreciation when your child brushes the teeth properly. Praise your child with words of acknowledgement saying, “Great job brushing your teeth! You’re helping keep your smile healthy!”
The objective is to ensure that the process of brushing is a rewarding experience to your child and that this will associate the act with positive results.
5. Keep It Simple – The Process Must Be Easy
Sometimes, brushing is too much for the children. This is especially so if the brush is too big or if the toothpaste is too difficult to squeeze. Here are some ways of making it easier and more manageable for little ones:
Age-specific brushes: Opt for a toothbrush that has been designed for your child’s age and developmental stage. Small, soft bristles work best for toddlers, whereas slightly larger brushes work better for older children. Consider brushes with good grip for little hands.
Monitor the brushing: Young children would most probably need someone to direct them to where exactly to brush in their mouth and how. Watch if or if not they are managing to get into all their regions of the teeth to be clean-from front and back and even chewing surface-through checking up on them in that timeframe of brushing which is two minutes.
Kids feel more secure with the right aids and a little encouragement about brushing their teeth. The easier and more comfortable the process, the likelier they will hold onto it.
Bonus Tip: Make Regular Dental Visits Fun!
Sometimes, you have to explain why the children should brush regularly. A good dental visit could make them realize that keeping their teeth clean is an essential aspect of health and wellness.
We believe at Cure Dental that, it should be as much of fun, a comfortable place to learn when the kid goes for check-up and learns how he should look after his own teeth, so we allow the time to answer whatever questions may have. And, for the early visit, will get them friendly with the dental office thereby removing some kind of fears that accompany it.
Conclusion
Don’t get into a war with getting your kids to brush their teeth. Make brushing fun for them, give them choices, lead by example, offer rewards, and make it simple, and they will develop a lifetime of good oral hygiene habits. The earlier you start, the easier it is to maintain a healthy smile.
We believe in supporting your family all through the way to dental well being. If you need to get some tips, pieces of advice, or plan a visit for your kid’s check-up, get in touch with us for sure! Together, let’s make sure your kids are on the right road to bright, healthy smiles for years to come.