Did you know that there are effective ways to get your children not only to brush their teeth, but to enjoy it? It is very common for young children to not want to brush their teeth, and you’re not alone if you struggle with this as a parent. We are excited to share three of our favorite ways to get your children excited about brushing their teeth!
Make it fun
There are so many ways you can make oral hygiene more fun as a parent. One of our personal favorite techniques is making a brushing playlist of songs your children love. You can even find a couple of dental-themed songs to add to it. During brushing time, put this playlist on and brush your teeth with your children. Another way to get your kids excited: new toothbrushes. Most drugstores have a wide array of children’s toothbrushes, covered in everything from Disney characters to animals. Kids also tend to enjoy the excitement of using electric toothbrushes. There are so many creative ways to get your children to view oral care to be just as fun as it is necessary. Soon your kids will be asking when it is time to brush their teeth!
Reward good brushing behavior to reinforce it for your children
Rewarding your children when they are cooperative about their oral hygiene is a great way to get them to comply in the long run. Rewards don’t have to be expensive or complicated. They can be as simple as adding stickers or marks to a homemade chart every time your kids are good about brushing their teeth. These stickers can add up to a bigger reward at the end of the week or month. You can even let your children choose dinner one night of the week if they have been good about brushing the previous week. No matter how small a reward may seem to us adults, it will reinforce good oral hygiene behavior in your children.
Teach your children the importance of oral health early and model good oral hygiene yourself
Even though they may not understand why certain behaviors are necessary, toddlers and younger children tend to take in the behaviors their parents exemplify for them. Oral hygiene is no exception. If children see their parents taking care of their teeth regularly, they will see that this should be part of their routine as well. You could even create a specific time each day dedicated to oral hygiene and stick to it with your children. That way, when they become old enough to take care of their own brushing, this time will already be familiar with them. It is essential to explain to children why certain behaviors are positive. Teach them how and why a healthy smile will lead to a healthy life.
All children should learn why keeping up with dental care is important and how best to stay on top of it. Making oral care fun, rewarding good brushing behavior, educating your children about why brushing is essential, and modeling good behavior are all ways to increase good brushing behavior and overall oral health in your children. Let’s get brushing! Here are our tips and tricks for wisdom teeth recovery.