Sometimes it can be challenging to get kids to do what they’re supposed to take care of each day, like washing their hands before a meal or brushing their teeth before bedtime.
But there’s no need to struggle. Here are five tips for teaching kids to brush. Soon, you’ll have your little ones taking care of their oral hygiene chores regularly, with fewer reminders from you, hopefully.
1. Practice on a Doll
If your kids are reluctant to brush their own teeth at first, have them do a trial run with their favorite stuffed animal or doll. Show them how to brush their toy’s teeth. They want to take care of their favorite friend, so they’ll be motivated to learn how to brush this way.
2. Pick a Kid-Friendly Toothpaste and Fun Toothbrush
Let your children pick out their own toothpaste, along with a toothbrush. Many are available with kid-friendly colors and use cartoons to help attract the eyes of young ones. As long as it’s approved by the American Dental Association and provides the protection they need, it’s fine if the toothpaste attracts them with funny character images and bright hues.
3. Brush Your Teeth With Your Kids
Modeling how you want your children to behave is a great way to reinforce what they need to do, such as basic dental hygiene. Show them how to hold the toothbrush at about a 45-degree angle to the gum line and make sure that they clean each tooth and their tongue and roof of the mouth. Sometimes busy parents forget those last two themselves!
4. Praise Kids When They Demonstrate Good Tooth Brushing Skills
Some positive reinforcement will do wonders when it comes to encouraging your kids to brush their teeth daily. After you’ve shown them how to brush their teeth a few times, step back and watch them do it by themselves the next day. When they hear that they’re doing a good job, it will be encouraging to keep up with it after meals.
5. Use Tooth Brushing Time as Story Time
Distract your kids by telling them a little story to keep them entertained while you ask them to start brushing their teeth. It could be a silly tale about a child who ate sugary foods and needed to use a toothbrush to clean up to avoid getting cavities.
Make Sure Your Kids Appreciate the Value of Brushing Their Teeth in Between Dentist Appointments
A great way to encourage your children to consistently brush their teeth after meals every day is to get them acclimated to visiting the dentist’s office. When young ones are accustomed to coming in for routine checkups and cleanings, they will be more likely to brush at home.
If it’s been more than six months since your child last sat in the dentist’s chair, find your local Ideal Dental office to schedule a visit. You can also read our article on foods that support healthy teeth to boost your child’s dental nutrition.