Today’s kids have what seems like an unlimited amount of games and activities at their fingertips year-round fun. So it’s no surprise that mundane tasks like brushing their teeth aren’t exactly high on their list of things they enjoy doing.
Make tooth time less of a battle between you and your kids with these fun ways to make oral hygiene more lively while also improving your family’s overall health.
One of the best ways your children can learn to do something well is to learn from a great example – you! Supervised family-style brushing doesn’t have to be a chore. Try letting your little ones take charge of the family brushing routine by letting them place the pea-sized amount of toothpaste on everyone’s toothbrushes and giving them the responsibility of the two-minute timer. Take it one step further by letting them hand out the floss too.
As an added bonus, brushing your teeth early at your children’s bedtime will keep you from late-night snacking temptations because your teeth are already clean and ready for bed!
Make brushing and flossing an activity with videos or brushing apps (yes, they exist!) to help the two minutes, twice a day fly by. Play their favorite silly song and brush to the rhythm of the music, or try out a podcast that you only listen to while brushing so everyone is ready to hear what happens next with toothbrush in hand. Whatever you do, get creative and switch things up so brushing time is always a good time.
Figure out what currently motivates your child and reward them for good brushings. Make a reward chart and let them add one fun sticker every time they brush. When the chart fills up and they’ve reached their goal, reward them with things like a new bedtime book, or letting them pick what’s for dinner one night of the week.
Let your kids pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste that features their favorite characters. Sometimes little things like a new toothbrush or a special flavor of ADA approved toothpaste can really improve the daily routine.
You may be tempted to let your child skip brushing after a long fussy day, or letting them take matters into their own hands for a few nights after brushing together, but keep it up while they are little and still learning the fundamentals of dental care. The more second nature brushing becomes the easier it is to ensure your child is brushing properly for a full two minutes, twice a day.
Struggling to teach your kids why it’s so important for them to brush their teeth properly? Encourage great dental health in children with the egg scrubbing science experiment found here. Not only will you be visually showing them why it’s crucial to take care of their teeth by brushing and eating a nutrition-filled diet, but it’s a great way to also teach them how to develop strong thinking skills that can be used in science, social studies, reading and math.
This experiment is a fun way to show the power of using toothpaste on our teeth and why it’s so important to use toothpaste when brushing instead of just water.
One of those necessary life skills every child needs to learn is brushing and flossing their teeth. Helping your child get in the habit of brushing twice a day for two full minutes is no small feat, but a little creativity can go a long way when it comes to their long-term dental health. For other tips and tricks on how to get your kids excited about brushing and dentist appointments, ask Hoffman Dental Care for our recommendations on getting your kids involved at your next family dental checkup.
