Teaching good oral habits to kids might sound easy, but in reality, it is quite a challenge to teach them how to brush their teeth. Kids are incredibly active and easily distracted, and it’s tough to keep them still most of the time. Luckily, there are more ways than one to teach them the importance of brushing their teeth. Kids learn better when they are having fun in the process.
We listed five fun ways to ask your kids to brush their teeth gently:
1. Dance to the Music While Brushing
What better way to perk up your child’s mood than to play some upbeat music? You can choose a popular song from their favorite artist or maybe their favorite jingle of a television show. Upbeat music is perfect for the upward and downward strokes, as well as the side-to-side. The two-minute brushing routine will fly by if your child is having fun dancing and singing along while brushing. Good dance music can make your child wish it was time to brush their teeth.
2. Do the Routine Together
When it’s time for kids to brush their teeth, they might feel that the sink is too far. If you accompany them to the sink, they won’t have to drag their feet towards their toothbrush. To start making the routine a regular habit, always accompany your child when brushing their teeth. Do the routine together so that they can mimic your actions. Once they start to get the hang of it, they will feel like it’s second nature to go toward the sink and brush their teeth. Soon the routine won’t feel like such a chore, and you won’t have to remind them what to do.
3. Reward Through Stickers and Prizes
Create a cool system in rewarding your kids every time they brush their teeth. One example is making a reward chart where you can give one sticker every after they’re done brushing. Then, if the child has accumulated a certain number of stickers, such as 10 or 20, you can reward them with a prize. Get creative with your prizes. It can be a toy, a chance to go to the arcade, or maybe a bonus time to play with their gadgets. With an exciting reward chart, your child will definitely not miss a day of brushing their teeth.
4. Customize Their Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Allow your child to customize their toothbrush and toothpaste. You can let your child choose their favorite characters from a movie or game and select different colors and sizes too. They will have fun brushing their teeth while playing the role of their toothbrush characters. They can also sing and dance to the theme songs of the characters. You can also let your child select the flavor and color of the toothpaste. With the many options to choose from, your kids will surely feel excited every time they try a new flavor.
Conclusion
While your child is still young, it’s crucial for parents to teach them the importance of brushing their teeth. It is a necessary life skill that can greatly impact the overall oral health of your child. Establishing a good oral hygiene regime will serve as a good foundation for healthy and beautiful pearly whites when they reach adulthood.
If you are looking for a children’s dentist Ypsilanti to help you educate your kids about oral health. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.