Teaching your children to brush their teeth at least twice a day with consistency is essential to protecting their long-term health. Brushing and flossing daily will keep bacteria thriving in the mouth under control, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and many other illnesses that are known to stem at least partially from poor dental hygiene. Contact our Children’s Dentist in the Houston, Texas area.
- Allow your children to choose their toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. Give them some control over the dental care process.
- Simple games can get your kids brushing teeth and flossing daily without complaint.
- Make dental care a part of the family routine so that children see it as an essential part of their day.
At Trinity Dental, we partner with parents to encourage excellent dental care for all children. We have some tips that may help you get your kids to brush their teeth at home regularly. We also welcome the opportunity to help your children improve their teeth brushing skills at their next dental exam and cleaning.
Make It a Family Routine
Like most things in parenting, leading by example is the best way to show your children that brushing and flossing are important. When they see their parents brushing and flossing from a young age, it becomes something that they associate with normal daily living. They will want to do the same with their teeth because it will feel like an essential part of everyday life.
The routine is just as important as the role modeling. Make sure that every member of the family takes care of their teeth at least twice a day. Even if you’re tired at the end of a long day, it’s important to clean your teeth and gums before settling down to rest.
Make Brushing Teeth a Fun Event
It’s best to start teaching basic teeth brushing at a young age. Even if your child doesn’t fully understand what they’re doing or why you want it to feel like a normal part of their daily routine. They will continue brushing for years out of habit, so brushing in the early years sets your child up for a lifetime of great dental health.
If your child cries, whines or makes excuses when it comes to teeth brushing, find a way to tie something the child loves to the teeth brushing process. Here are some ideas, but you should find something that appeals to your child:
- Play your child’s favorite song and encourage him to brush until the song is over: Make sure the song is at least two minutes long. It may turn into a pajama dance party in your bathroom every night. If you have multiple children, allow them to take turns selecting the song.
- Use a toothbrush that plays a tune: Tooth Tunes are readily available, but you may find others on the market.
- Read or make up a story while your child brushes: They may focus more on the story than the brushing process, making the habit more enjoyable.
- Create a brushing chart: Allow your children to give themselves a gold star or a sticker on the chart each time they brush their teeth. They may earn small rewards for a solid week of brushing twice a day.
- If you have multiple children, embrace their competitive nature: Allow each child to receive one point for every time they brush their teeth to your satisfaction. The child with the most points at the end of the week may earn a small advantage like staying up 10 extra minutes on Saturday night or choosing dinner on Sunday night. The goal is to encourage each child to earn a perfect score, which entitles them to the reward.
- Do some research: Allow your kids to ask silly or serious questions about brushing their teeth, and you can get the answers while they brush. If you have Alexa or another smart feature in your home, your kids can simply ask and have the answer read to them while they brush. You can use a smartphone to ask Google as well. For instance, your child may ask, “When did people first start brushing their teeth?”
Selecting Children’s Dental Care Products
The Dentists at Trinity Dental believe that one of the simplest ways to get your kids brushing teeth regularly is to give them some control over the process. They don’t get to decide how, when or why this job is accomplished, but they can decide what tools they use to do the job.
There are a lot of fun toothbrushes, kinds of toothpaste, flosses, and mouthwashes created just for kids today. You should approve of your child’s selection, but they may appreciate having a voice when it comes to flavors, colors, and designs. If you have multiple children, they may choose different products. Allowing them to select their own is a great way to encourage individual thinking while instilling great oral hygiene habits in each child.
Figuring out how to get kids to brush their teeth is a problem that all parents face. If it’s just another chore that your kids must complete every morning and night, you’re likely to face some complaints from your younger children. Making the process a fun experience will help, but role modeling and visiting your Trinity Dental dentist regularly are also important. Contact us today and find if we serve your area in Houston, Texas!
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