One of your most significant duties as the parent or guardian of your child is to take care of their health until they’re big enough to take on the job themselves, and their smile is no exception. However, many kids avoid doing anything that feels like a chore, and that often includes brushing and flossing their teeth.
But consistently removing plaque and bacteria is essential for preventing common dental concerns, like cavities and gum disease. If you’re struggling with motivating your little one to keep their mouth clean, continue reading to learn about 3 tips that might help!
Tip #1: Turn It into Family Time
Have you ever noticed your child mimicking everything you do, from your words to your facial expressions and bodily movements? This is because they learn through example how to interact with the world around them. If your little one doesn’t seem to understand your directions when brushing and flossing or seemingly “won’t listen” when you try to send them to clean their teeth, you might encourage them by leading by example.
For instance, if you complete your dental hygiene routine alongside them, they may feel more comfortable and therefore likely to participate. Not only that, but they might also observe how you hold your toothbrush and navigate floss around your gums so they can follow suit.
Tip #2: Let Them Choose Their Products
Some children resist their at-home dental care routine because minty toothpastes or hard toothbrush bristles can trigger sensitivity in still-developing smiles. Thankfully, most stores carry a variety of different products to choose from, many of which are intended to help kids clean their teeth.
You might encourage your child to be a more active participant in their dental health by allowing them to choose their own options. Scrubbing their enamel with a toothbrush in their favorite color or with their favorite superhero, using a berry- or bubblegum-flavored paste, may be much more to their liking!
Tip #3: Try Using Songs and Games
The American Dental Association recommends brushing for a full two minutes for a thorough clean, but if you’re struggling to get your kid to brush their teeth, you might not be overly concerned about timeframes. However, if your child isn’t removing enough plaque and bacteria, they might still develop cavities or periodontal problems.
You can prevent this by introducing music and games into their dental hygiene routine. For instance, singing through their favorite song a few times can distract their brain long enough to thoroughly brush their enamel. If you are also cleaning your teeth, you might even have a “competition” to see who can scrub away more “sugar bugs” to win.
Hopefully, these tips help motivate your child to maintain their smile, but if not, you can try thinking outside of the box or contacting your dentist for some additional ideas!
Meet the Author
Dr. Trent Miner has more than 10 years of experience helping patients build and maintain happy, healthy teeth and gums. He earned his dental degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine and then completed the NYU Langone Hospital’s Pediatric Dental Residency Program. Today, he’s a member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and offers a complete menu of services, including routine preventive care, to meet your child’s unique needs under one roof. You can request an appointment on the website or call (321) 378-4344.