Though kids will lose their baby teeth, it’s still important to make certain they are practicing good oral hygiene. Their baby teeth serve as a placeholder for their adult teeth, and poor oral hygiene early in life can cause an array of problems later. It can be a struggle to get your kids to brush their teeth, so here are 7 tips to ease their way into good oral hygiene practices.
1. Themed Brushing
Allow your kids to choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste. Avengers lovers will be more excited to brush with their new Iron Man toothbrush and Captain America toothpaste. Letting them choose their own toothbrush is an easy way to get your kids to brush their teeth.
2. Turn it Into a Game
“I bet I can brush my teeth better than you can.” A simple challenge is an excellent way to up your children’s enthusiasm for brushing their teeth.
3. Be a Good Role Model
Lead by example. Let your children watch as you thoroughly brush your teeth. Show them all the things they will need to do when brushing their own teeth. Have teeth brushing be a family activity, making it a bonding experience.
4. Reward System
Set up a reward system for your children. Use stickers to keep track of your children’s progress. After a solid month of good oral hygiene practices, reward your child with an increase of their allowance, a new toy, or allowing them to choose the next family activity.
5. Use Music
Dentists recommend brushing for at least 2 minutes, twice a day. Enforce this by making it into a dance party. Buy a singing toothbrush for your child or use a tooth brushing app.
6. Let Them Practice
Though it might not be the most comfortable thing in the world, allow your children to practice on you. This will allow them to become more familiar with the prospect of thoroughly brushing their teeth.
7. Tell a Story
Make teeth brushing time into story time. Either read them a story while they brush, or invent a story about brushing their teeth. Perhaps their oral castle is being attacked by sugar monsters, or they need to find a sugar beast hiding in their teeth. Just be sure that they don’t actually believe there are monsters in their mouth!
Building good oral hygiene habits doesn’t have to be a daily fight. Get your kids excited about brushing their teeth with these 7 tips! For more information about how to get your kids to embrace brushing their teeth, contact us at the Pediatric Dentistry of Burke today!