Everyone knows that brushing your teeth is something you should do twice a day. However, for kids, it can be a chore, especially since they may not understand how important it is for their oral health. As a result, getting your child to brush their teeth every day can be a struggle, so you may be looking for new ways to make it fun and encourage your child to make it a habit.
At Luxe Dental Spa in Oakhurst, we understand the struggle kids have with their oral health, and our dentists want to do everything they can to help your child’s teeth grow big and strong, from providing a comfortable office setting to offering tips on how to make teeth brushing fun! Reach out to our family dentist with any questions you may have, and continue reading below for a few tips.
Let Them Pick Out Their Own Toothbrush
Kids love feeling included in decisions, and if you want your child to want to brush their teeth, one easy solution is to let them pick out their own toothbrush! Nobody wants to have to brush their teeth with a plain, boring toothbrush, and your child is no different. For this reason, we recommend taking your child to the store and having them pick out their very own toothbrush to use. The great thing about kids’ toothbrushes is that they come in a variety of styles and colors, and some even feature popular characters! By picking out their own toothbrush, your child will be more excited to brush their teeth every day because they will get to use the toothbrush they chose themselves.
Make It a Family Affair
Children love to copy their parents, and one easy way to make teeth brushing seem more fun is to make it a family affair! Every morning and night, brush your teeth alongside your child so they can see that even grown-ups have to do it. You can even make a game out of it and see who can brush their teeth the best! This is also a great opportunity for you to model proper brushing techniques for your child so they know exactly how to do it themselves.
Create a Sticker Chart
While bribing your child to brush their teeth is not the route to go, there are still ways to encourage your children to brush their teeth with a reward. Instead of offering your child a prize or a treat if they brush their teeth, consider introducing a sticker chart! Your child can pick out a pack or two of stickers, and then for each day they brush their teeth well, they will get to put a sticker on the chart. This tactic gives your child something fun to do for brushing their teeth without bribing them to do a good job.
Brush to Music
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth for two minutes, but even for adults, standing there and brushing your teeth for two minutes straight can be tough. For children, it’s even worse! With that in mind, one way you can make the task of brushing teeth more fun, and make the time go faster, is to brush your teeth to music! Put on a song that your child loves and start brushing! This way, your child can brush their teeth while also dancing around and having a good time.
Brushing your teeth doesn’t have to be a chore, and at Luxe Dental Spa in Oakhurst, we believe that there are numerous ways you can make teeth brushing more fun for kids. If you have any questions, want more tips, or you would like to schedule an appointment with our family dentist, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We look forward to working with you!