At Helotes Family Dentistry, we understand it’s not always easy to get your children excited to brush their teeth. Here are five ways to motivate your kids to take care of their smiles, making the whole experience more enjoyable for everyone.
- Personalize Their Tooth Brushing Adventures
- Use a Reward System
- Bring Technology Into the Bathroom
- Come Up with a Game or Story
- Brush Your Teeth Together
One of the easiest ways to make tooth brushing fun is to let your child pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste, as long as the toothbrush has very soft bristles and the toothpaste contains fluoride. Letting your child pick their tools will provide them with more ownership and control over their oral hygiene routine. There are many toothbrushes specifically made for kids that feature their favorite cartoon character. Moreover, toothpaste flavors like bubblegum can really appeal to the younger demographics. Just remember that children younger than three only need to use a grain-of-rice amount of toothpaste each time, and only a pea-sized amount until they are six years old.
Rewarding your child for practicing good oral health habits will help motivate them to brush their teeth, especially if they are a reluctant brusher. Every time they brush their teeth correctly for a full two minutes, give them something that they love, whether that be a sticker or an extra bedtime story. However, try to avoid candy as a reward!
There are a variety of neat electric toothbrushes and online tools to make tooth brushing fun for your child. From brushes that light up to interactive apps to music videos, there is an abundance of resources to encourage your child to brush their teeth, and even help them look forward to doing it.
Games also make things a more interesting, so why not play a game during tooth brushing time to get your child excited about this usually tedious task? It can be as simple as asking “who can brush their teeth the best?” (but definitely not the fastest, since the goal is two minutes each time) or narrate a superhero story about the adventures of the dynamic duo Toothbrush and Toothpaste, and their sidekicks, Floss and Mouthwash.
Whether you realize it or not, chances are that your child is often looking up to you so it’s important to set a good example for them. Brush your teeth in front of them every night with proper technique so they can see how it’s supposed to be done. The more they see you brushing your own teeth, the more likely they are to imitate you and learn excellent dental hygiene by your example.
Come Visit Us Every 6 Months!
Practicing outstanding oral hygiene at home is critical to a healthy mouth, but so are professional cleanings and exams. Bring your child in to Helotes Family Dentistry for checkups every six months. We provide Netflix on our overhead TVs, movie glasses, cozy pillows and blankets, complimentary drinks and snacks, a kids’ play area, and more! Contact us today to schedule appointments for your entire family.
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