As a parent, you may be all too familiar with the daily battles you have with your kids. Whether it’s making their beds, eating veggies, or simply cleaning, getting your kids to do certain chores or tasks can be really tough. Getting your kids to brush their teeth can be even more challenging than all the rest of your daily battles. Keep reading to discover some fun and easy tips to get your children to brush their teeth from your pediatric dentist.
Make it a Family Affair
Kids love to imitate their parents, so show them that you like brushing your teeth. Brushing with your kids will encourage them to clean their teeth because they see you doing it. More so, if you look like you enjoy brushing your teeth, they will more likely see it as a fun activity rather than a chore.
You can tell your kids to start brushing their front teeth like you do, and then guide them through the rest of their brushing session. It’s important that everyone brushes their teeth twice a day, for two minutes each session. Taking care of your oral health with your kids will also provide you with an opportunity to make sure they are brushing properly. Getting them in a healthy brushing routine will set them up for oral health success in the future.
Establish a Fun Routine
Kids hate doing boring activities or chores, so disguise brushing time as a party. Play your child’s favorite song and dance along with them as they brush. If their favorite song is around two minutes, you can tell them they only have to brush while the song is on. Now, all you have to do to get them to brush is to play their song and voila, they’re in the bathroom taking care of their teeth.
Play Detective
As your kids get older, they may try to sneak by you without brushing their teeth. You can check the brush bristles to see if they’re wet and if your son or daughter actually brushed. Remind them that their parent’s watchful eye is always there even when they don’t see it. Some harmless scare tactics like this one can actually pay off in the long run—giving your child the proper oral health routine will keep their mouth healthy down the road.
Now that you know how to get your kids to brush their pearly whites, what are you waiting for? Turn up the brushing song and get the party started with these tips on oral healthcare for your loved ones.
Meet the Dentist
Dr. Lily is a pediatric dentist who loves helping kids’ smiles look and feel great. She understands that getting children to brush is a task that every parent toils with, which is why she wants you to know these helpful tips. She currently practices at Shiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Garland, and she can be contacted through her website or by phone at (469) 925-0861 for any questions.