Brushing your teeth is an important part of any dental hygiene routine—particularly for children with growing teeth! However, we understand that brushing your teeth for the full recommended two minutes can feel like a bit of a chore. Never fear! With these five tips for making brushing teeth fun, you can get your child excited about their oral health, as well as help them to protect their teeth from tooth decay and gingivitis.
Make it an event!
Brushing doesn’t have to entail two minutes of standing over them while they brush their teeth. There are a number of fun things you can do to pass the time. Read a funny story while they brush for two minutes. Have a dance party to their favorite 2-minute song. If they’re having fun, it is less likely to feel like a chore.
Read about it.
There are a number of fun children’s books about brushing teeth. Look to see if some of your child’s favorite characters have a book on keeping their teeth healthy and clean. Sesame Street has a great one! You might just find that it makes dental hygiene more fun for everyone.
Play pretend.
Anything can be made to feel like a game—even brushing your teeth! Help your child use their imagination as a way to make brushing feel like fun, rather than a chore. Perhaps they’re the superhero fighting evil plaque? The possibilities are endless!
Try a reward chart.
Some children simply respond to being rewarded for good behavior. By keeping a tally of each time your child brushes his or her teeth, they can work toward earning a fun reward like stickers, a book, or even a fun new game. You can also try regularly rewarding your child for brushing their teeth with the promise of a nightly bedtime story or even simply a high five!
Let your kids pick their toothbrush.
According to the American Dental Association, it is important to swap out your toothbrush at least once every three months. This gives you ample opportunity to get your child excited about brushing their teeth by allowing them to pick a fun new toothbrush. There are plenty of options made just for kids with all of their favorite characters!
Want to schedule your child’s next appointment? Contact Fairview Dental Group in Westmont today to book their check-up and keep their smile happy and healthy.