Toothbrushing is essential for the oral health of children. Unfortunately, as any parent would know, asking kids to brush their teeth is often a challenge. Most of the time, they will be too lazy and make all sorts of excuses.
As a responsible parent, be proactive in encouraging your children to practice proper oral hygiene. Read on and we’ll share some tips on how you can make brushing their teeth a fun and engaging activity.
Tips and Tricks to Make Brushing Teeth Fun
From the time you start brushing baby’s teeth to when they can finally do it on their own, you will find the little ones resisting. Do not give up! Look for ways to make it fun, which is possible by doing the following.
Pick the Right Toothbrush
Choose a toothbrush that kids will love. Most children will like a colorful toothbrush with their favorite characters in the design. But do not just focus on the look. Make sure as well that it is ergonomic. It should have a small handle and solid grip, so it is easy to hold.
One type of toothbrush that will amaze your kid is an electric toothbrush. The Sönik Baby Electric Toothbrush, for instance, has an easy-grip handle, soft vibrations, and a two-minute timer. Because it is easy and comfortable to use, it will help encourage your child to brush regularly.
Find a Good Toothpaste
One reason why children despise brushing is their toothpaste. Change their perception by introducing good toothpaste. Pick one with flavors that will tickle their taste buds, such as bubble gum or fruit. Nonetheless, make sure that the ingredients are chemical-free or non-toxic. Also, once they are at the right age, the toothpaste should contain age-appropriate fluoride to help prevent tooth decay.
Turn on the Music
Most kids will find brushing their teeth a boring activity, even if it is crucial for their dental health. One of the best ways to make it more entertaining is to add music. Play their favorite song in the background as they brush.
Make it more fun by complementing the music with groovy moves. Dance with your kid while brushing. However, even while having fun, make sure that they still pay attention to the proper way of brushing their teeth.
Make It a Group Activity
Most children look up to their parents. You are their model. Hence, they tend to imitate most of the things that you do. If you want to encourage them to brush their teeth, do it with them. It will be more fun when they are doing it with another person instead of being alone.
It is likely that kids will get more excited when brushing is a group activity. Not to mention, this is also a good opportunity to bond with your little one and to teach the proper way of toothbrushing.
Try Role-Playing
Role-playing can be an effective way to make brushing teeth more entertaining. Act as if you are both cartoon characters and dance while brushing teeth. Alternatively, you can also pretend like you are superheroes, and the toothbrush holds your magical powers. The enemies are in the mouth, and the only way to beat them is to brush them off.
Reward Them
By rewarding children for positive behaviors, including those that promote better oral health, you are reinforcing a habit. They will be compelled to do something when there is a reward that waits for them. However, the reward does not have to be anything grand. They should not be sweet treats, either! It can be as simple as a stamp or sticker. You can also give them a reward once a week for completing their brush times, such as extra screen time or playing at the park.
Practice on Toys
An effective way to teach children the basics of brushing is to use toys. Let them practice on stuffed toys or animals. It will not only teach them basic brushing techniques, but it will also normalize the habit. As they clean the imaginary teeth of their toys, explain why they must do so. Let them know the consequences of ignoring their dental health, and this might compel them to brush their teeth.
In sum, proper oral hygiene is one thing every child must learn. Among others, one of the most important is brushing their teeth regularly. Most kids will find it boring! Make it fun by giving them a kid-friendly toothbrush, choosing a naturally flavored toothpaste, adding music to the routine, and role-playing.
Written by :
Chelsea Smith
Content Creator
Dentaly.org
chelsea@chelsea-smith.com