05 Feb 4 Fun Ways to Teach Your Kids to Brush Their Teeth
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease that afflicts elementary-aged children in the United States. While this is a concerning fact, there is a solution. Developing a foundation of great oral health begins in childhood with proper oral hygiene practices and frequent checkups with your family dentist.
Instilling the importance of proper oral hygiene with children can be difficult for parents. Making twice-daily oral hygiene fun can help break the monotony of this task. Following are four tips to help making daily brushing more fun for kids.
Choose Toothbrushes Your Kids Will Like
Children’s toothbrushes come in a number of colors and some even have beloved cartoon and movie characters. Giving your children a sense of ownership that represents their unique tastes can help make oral hygiene fun. Whether that’s surprising them with a new toothbrush you know they will love or letting them pick one out at the grocery store, a unique toothbrush that represents their interests helps make brushing more exciting.
Tell a Story
It takes about two minutes to thoroughly clean our mouths. We should brush more than just our teeth, too. Children and adults alike should gently brush their gums, tongue, and the roof of their mouth. To help pass the time, you could tell a story. A shortened version of a fairy tale or a story with a funny ending are great ways to make oral hygiene fun and entertaining.
Use Rewards
Rewards can go a long way. Whether that’s allowing a few extra minutes before bedtime, playing a game, or giving them a weekend reward like picking out a film for family night, incentives are great for motivating children.
Play Music
No matter our age, listening to our favorite songs makes everything we do more pleasant. Giving your kids free reign to select a song from your phone or tablet is a great way to keep oral hygiene interesting and fun.
If it’s time for a checkup or cleaning for your kids, call Aesthetic Dental Partners to reserve an appointment with our family dentist.