Brushing 101: Tricks To Making Teeth Care Fun For Your Kids

Most kids find brushing their teeth annoying and they often forget to do it themselves unless you warn them. A healthy smile is important. The hard thing to do is to show your kids that brushing is a necessity. Flossing and regular visits to the dentist are also essential. These activities can be fun. Luckily, this list of tricks will make this easier for you. Soon, your kids will think of their oral hygiene as a fun activity.

1. Create a reward system

A reward system is a creative way of getting your kids to brush their teeth without tantrums. One option is to create a system of delayed rewards. This means your child gets a sticker or a gold star if they brush their teeth on time and properly. Once they get a specific number of stickers/stars, you can reward them with a toy or a piece of clothing. Another option is to give them instant rewards. You could allow them to watch TV a bit longer or read an extra story before going to bed.

2. Make it mutual activity

Kids love mimicking their parents, so if you brush and floss together, they will enjoy repeating your moves. That’s how you’ll get the opportunity to teach them the appropriate technique of brushing their teeth. Then you can help them floss. To make it even more fun, you can sing a song while brushing.

3. Keep track of time creatively

It’s highly recommended to spend two minutes brushing your teeth. You need to make sure your kid really brushes that long. Buy a brightly colored sand timer. Let your kid choose it. Let your kid flip it over before they start brushing. It will be fun for them to watch the sand sipping and they will know when they’re done.

4. Read fun books about teeth

Reading books that are tooth-friendly to your kids will help them feel positive. They will be more inclined to take care of their oral hygiene. There are various fun books that include dental games and materials that teach kids about the importance of healthy teeth. Check your local bookshop for some interesting books on this subject.

5. Special toothpaste

It’s possible to have fun toothpaste. Minty toothpaste is not what a kid will be excited about in the evening. If you get them a strawberry or watermelon flavored toothpaste, they’ll look forward to brushing their teeth. It will be almost as if you were about to give them a candy before going to bed!

6. Special brush

Why stop at fun toothpaste? A toothbrush is something that is intended only for one person to use. It’s no wonder kids take choosing their toothbrush very seriously. It doesn’t mean their toothbrush shouldn’t be amazing and fun! When the time comes for your child to replace the old toothbrush, give them some fun options. Let them pick a new one. Offer unique and colorful brushes like Starlite with soft bristles. Kids enjoy sparkles and quirky-looking brushes. Let them choose their favorite one.

7. Have an after-dentist surprise

It’s necessary for your kid to have their teeth checked every 6 months. You can prevent your kid from having negative associations to visiting a dentist. Prepare a surprise for them each time they go to the dentist. After the check-up is over, have some fun family time. You can go to an amusement park, pay a visit to the zoo or enjoy a picnic.

8. Have a dance party

If you really want to spice up those 2 minutes of tooth-brushing, then bring an mp3 player to the bathroom. Have a dance party just for the two of you. You can even involve the whole family. Choose an upbeat song and have a dance-off. If you’re both creative, you can even come up with a toothbrush dance. Just don’t forget to actually brush your teeth while dancing!

All in all

So, it’s definitely possible to make brushing the teeth a fun process for your kid. You may even come up with your own ideas, depending on what your child is like. The only important thing is to stress to your kid that it’s equally fun for you. It’s just as fun for them.